From Austria to Asia: How travel has influenced Irish fashion designer Helen Steele

The Monaghan-based designer reflects on childhood holidays, eye-opening journeys and the places that continue to shape her creativity

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026 - 19:30

Jennifer McShane

Award-winning Irish fashion designer Helen Steele has travelled extensively for both work and curiosity, drawing inspiration from history, craft, culture, and place. Based in Monaghan, her global outlook has long informed her creative world, from early childhood adventures to eye-opening journeys across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Here, she reflects on the travel moments that have stayed with her most, and the places that continue to inspire her.

Favourite childhood holiday memory

My mum and dad lived in London for a while and my mum lived in Paris too. She was a bit of a traveller. She studied at the Sorbonne. But my first real memory of going away as a child, I must have been about five, and we went skiing in Austria. It was idyllic. We were skiing and tobogganing and it was absolutely beautiful. I remember doing a horse-drawn sleigh ride with bells on it, and they put fur blankets on us. I remember the fur. I even remember matching jumpers my mum got us. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday but I can remember what I wore when I was five.

Most memorable trip

I’ve had so many but one that really stands out was a school tour to Leningrad and Moscow before the Iron Curtain came down. It was absolutely incredible. It was minus-15 degrees.

We saw the Bolshoi, the Winter Palace, the Kremlin, Lenin’s tomb. We actually queued and walked around Lenin’s tomb. It was unbelievable and it’s stuck in my memory forever. We were told to bring extra jeans and batteries and we traded them for these incredible soldiers’ coats, wool coats, fur hats, and badges. It was brilliant. Everywhere was covered in snow. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.

Most surprising trip

Beijing and Shanghai in 1998. It was a completely different world. The poverty was shocking. We were travelling to agricultural sites and I had never seen anything like it before. I remember seeing families living in riverbeds with scraps of corrugated iron. It was mind-blowing.

I also travelled in and out of the Middle East from around 1997, and every time I went back, it had changed completely. Watching places evolve like that is fascinating.

Favourite city

I’m probably very boring but London. I love it. And Rome.

Rome just blows my mind. You walk down side streets and every single one has staggering beauty. You can walk aimlessly while surrounded by history. Every street has a story. I’m reading Joseph O’Connor’s book at the moment and listening to a podcast connected to it, and it fascinates me.

I love anywhere with history. There’s a place in Greece called Plaka, near the island of Spinalonga, which used to be a leper colony. It’s incredibly interesting, especially if you’re into diving. After the Second World War, the British blew up ammunition there and coral life grew around it. It’s just fascinating.

Favourite hotel

By far the most beautiful place I’ve ever stayed was the One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives. It was incredible. When we were there, Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton were staying there, AA Gill was there — it was surreal.

Helen Steele: By far the most beautiful place I’ve ever stayed was the One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.

You’re barefoot most of the time. You just walk or cycle everywhere. My kids and I love snorkelling and diving, and there’s no better place in the world for that. It was a long time ago and I couldn’t afford it now but I’ll never forget it.

Memorable food experience

I’ve had some absolute humdingers, including some very bad ones. I had cow brain soup in Beijing, which was disgusting. But one of the most beautiful food experiences was street food in Bangkok. There were two of us, and it cost six euro. There was a rat running past at one stage but the food was stunning, divine. It was on a railway line. Thai food is incredible.

I’ve been lucky to eat in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe but, honestly, you can’t beat Italy for food. Even the basics are extraordinary.

Favourite thing to do while travelling

Life is so busy that for the first couple of days I’m usually a zombie. My son is 21 and loves water sports, paddleboarding, hiking, snorkelling, swimming. He keeps me busy and that’s great because we explore together. We spent a lot of time in Donegal by the sea when the kids were younger. Growing up on boats on the Shannon, water has always been a huge part of my life. I love listening to the waves, swimming, snorkelling. It’s where I feel calm.

Bucket list trip

I haven’t seen everywhere and I want to keep travelling. I’ve been to Australia, where I launched my main line collection in 2019, which was possibly the worst timing imaginable. I’d love to go back to Sri Lanka. I was only there for a day and I think it’s the new Maldives. I’ve never been on safari either and that’s something I’d love to do some day. There’s still so much left to see.