Joanne McNally and Nikki Lannen unpack the emotional baggage behind Anxious Preoccupied

When long-time friends Joanne McNally and Nikki Lannen created Anxious Preoccupied they wanted to design practical, affordable bags that would bring a bit of joy. It was just what women wanted

Nikki Lannen and Joanne McNally pictured with bags from the range they co-founded, Anxious Preoccupied. Picture: Ruth Rose

There is something reassuring about seeing the language of your inner life reflected back at you. In recent years, Irish women have shown a growing appetite for brands that feel honest, self-aware and grounded in everyday life. Few names capture that mood quite as succinctly as Anxious Preoccupied.

The accessories brand was co-founded by long-time friends Nikki Lannen and Joanne McNally, whose shared humour and complementary skill sets have shaped the business from the outset.