Tributes after fashion designer Catriona Hanly dies aged 52

The late Catriona Hanly. She was widely regarded in the fashion world with her designs being worn by celebrities.

Tributes have been paid to fashion designer Catriona Hanly after her death at the age of 52.

The designer, who studied her craft at St Martin’s College in London, died at her home in Ballsbridge, Co Dublin on Saturday.

The Roscommon native, who also spent time studying at The Barbara Bourke College of Fashion in Dublin, is the founder of Catriona Hanly Couture.

Her clothes have been worn at Ascott, Cheltenham, and the VIP Style Awards, and have been described as "elegantly designed for the bold and the rebellious". Her creations were worn by Irish celebrities such as Vogue Williams, Laura Whitmore, Amy Huberman, Claire Byrne, Glenda Gilson, and Deirdre O'Kane.

Some of her standout designs also caught the attention of celebrities internationally, including The Wolf of Wall Street actress Madison McKinley.

Originally from Strokestown, Ms Hanly was the daughter of Bertie and Imelda Hanly. The family acquired and restored Lough Rynn Castle in Co Leitrim, as well as Kilronan Castle in Co Roscommon.

Ms Hanly kickstarted her design career with a jewellery line which was sold in more than 350 boutiques across Ireland, the UK and the US.

She then went on to deliver interior projects in several hotels and private residences across the world, before finally pivoting into fashion design.

Her signature "collars and cuffs" is a consistent trait across all her collections, as well as her trademark eye for fabrics, colour and texture.

Ms Hanly is "lovingly remembered" and "sadly missed" by her "heartbroken family", a statement on RIP.ie said. 

She is survived by her parents, her siblings Alan, Marcus, Enda, and Tara, sisters-in-law Olga, Linda, and Sinead, and brother-in-law Neil.