Irish Design Spotlight: Jill & Gill

Tell us about you and your brand
Jill & Gill is an independent collaborative Irish business with an international outlook. Set up by Jill Deering and Gillian Henderson, we are two designers who thrive on creating exclusive designs and work for those who love unique pieces. Jill & Gill artwork and prints are not for the faint-hearted. Our colours and prints are made to move, empower and be your creative beacon in a sea of similarity. We are big on energy, strong on colour!    

What is your mission?
Our passion is weaving the tales of others into a visual narrative, creating pieces or experiences that will spark meaningful conversations, and celebrating the unique and the creative. Through our diverse range of fine art prints and wearable art, such as our iconic Boundless Radicals collection, we aim to create pieces that resonate with our audience on a personal level.  The heartfelt stories shared by our customers about why they choose to own or gift our works are truly remarkable. Being a part of their lives in this way is an extraordinary and very rewarding aspect of what we do. 

Did you always know you wanted to be designers?
Jill studied Graphic Design in NCAD and Gillian studied 3D Design (Product & Furniture) in Ulster  University, Belfast. Working in creative industries was always the goal but, at the time of leaving college, running our own design practice was not on the cards. Our individual worlds collided in the most unexpected and perfect way back in 2016. It’s taken time to confidently sit in this space but we are excited for where we can go and what we can achieve together as a design duo. Collaboration really expands creativity!! 

What kind of items do you stock?
You can find a curated collection – a mix of original art pieces, limited edition prints, and our exclusive line of sweaters and t-shirts (affectionately known as Boundless Radicals) – on our online store. This unique series showcases iconic figures such as Bowie, Iris Apfel, Anna Wintour, and Elton John, each brought to life through our distinctive illustrative style.  You can also find our products in a selection of independent boutiques like S.l.o.w.s.t.r.e.e.t. in  Blackrock, Beo in Lahinch, Aplomb in Galway, Marley & Co, and the esteemed Design Ireland at Dublin Airport. 

What new brands or items are on your radar?
We’re absolutely loving August Night by designer Caoimhe Grant, and we are so ready for the textile collab between Irish brand Tidings and In Casa by Paboy based in Italy. And let’s talk about Restaurant Allta – it’s not just a spot, it’s an experience. With its new location, it’s 100% on our radar, and we can’t wait to savour every moment and bite!  

Was money/funding a concern when starting out?
Embarking on a creative journey often entails a gradual start, and despite our attempts at securing grants and funding, the path wasn’t always paved with immediate success. We’ve persisted, recognising that when one door closes, another inevitably opens. We’ve been gradually building traction for our online shop where we do limited product drops across the year as well as pop-up shops and in turn, we’ve been lucky enough to attract some super client collabs. We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with esteemed brands like DFS, Visa, Lidl, Roe & Co, Schweppes, GoMo, Ikea, Stork & Co, and support causes such as Breast Cancer Ireland and Jack & Jill. This year kicks off with an exciting collaboration with the Brigit’s Day Festival – further emphasising how one opportunity seamlessly leads to another.  

What is the best business advice you’ve received?
Understanding the importance of cultivating a strong portfolio that not only highlights your skills but also showcases your creative prowess. Showcasing all that comes with experience! Go beyond your own space, actively engage with others in the industry, participate in design events, and actively seek out constructive feedback from mentors or peers.  And a big one, pricing your services to reflect their and your value, this is a learning game but don’t undersell yourself. 

What are your favourite fashion/design accounts that you follow?
Paynter – limited edition jackets (it’s their newsletter that’s worth following).  The Tiny Big Sister – love the vibe of their Instagram and you can shop them in Scout, Temple Bar. Unfinished Legacy – screen printing fashion brand. It’s Nice That – daily inspiration. Kelly Ann London – love her collaborations with brands like Nike but overall, its her versatile style we’re drawn to.  Ronnie Fieg – art director and CEO of brand Kith, his collaborations have become legendary and he share the same birthday as Gillian (fellow Gemini)!  

What is your best fashion purchase?
Jill’s best purchase recently would be a pair of her Native Denim Jeans.  Gillian’s best purchase recently was a Made Obvious leopard print dress from S.l.o.w.s.t.r.e.e.t in Blackrock.  

What other Irish brands do you love?
Jump the Hedges, Domino Whisker, Helen Steele, STABLE of Ireland, Nicki Hoyne, Orwell & Brown, Poachers Tonics, Bold Bunny, Shop the Garden… the list is endless, we could keep on going!  

What is the most useful learning you have received since setting up a business?
We’ve gained much not only from our triumphs but, most significantly, from our setbacks.  Continuously seeking counsel from mentors is a principle we hold dear – never shy away from asking for help. Embrace fresh perspectives. 

What is your proudest moment so far?
Hanging a collection of original artwork across the Brown Thomas windows for a glorious six-week stint during Art & Style in 2018 was a pinch-me moment that also opened up some fantastic doors for us and created some long-lasting business relationships. Walking down Grafton Street and seeing our work hanging in the windows was a very cool moment for us,  then jumping to 2020 and having the chance to pop up at the top of Grafton Street and have No.5  Stephen’s Green as our address for a few months. The experience was incredible for our brand exposure at such an early stage of business, it gave us so much food for thought around the retail landscape and so much appreciation for those who operate brick-and-mortar stores.  

I want my brand to be remembered for… being a boundary-pusher, a brand with constant new perspectives across art and design.

If I could have anyone wear my designs, it would be… Róisín Murphy. Her approach to fashion and art direction has her high on our list of people we’d love to see rock our designs or even collab with. We designed an iconic bomber jacket  (collaboration with Irish pattern designer Worthy Design) – we only have one jacket left from the small batch made and as much as we said we would never part with the last one, for Róisín Murphy we would make an exception.

What do you have planned for the Brigit Festival this year?
We had the pleasure of being asked to create a modern Brigit in our Boundless Radical style. The concept behind the design work is: “In the bustling mosaic of today’s world, a modern-day Brigit emerges as a boundless radical, seamlessly melding confidence with an unbreakable tie to her storied past. She embodies the essence of tradition in a contemporary guise, her silhouette draped in threads that honour heritage yet resonate with the vibrancy of urban chic. Her attire, a  fusion of timeless elegance and street-style savvy, pays homage to history with a modern twist.” We had such fun with this project, the team behind the festival allowed us to be our creative selves, which we are incredibly grateful for. You’ll be able to pull your own Boundless Radical Brigit print across the festival weekend with Damn Fine Print and spot some Brigit flags flying high along the quays for the weekend that’s in it. 

Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women, returns from Thursday, 1st February – Monday, 5th February 2024 with the biggest programme to date, featuring 60+ events taking place across the city.

Photography by Kim Sola