Our Story
Born in Donegal, Una studied fashion in Limerick and worked in corporate wear in Dublin, before a chance encounter and subsequent job offer from former employer, Michelle O’Doherty, led her to pastures new in Belfast. Immersing in the business, one of the first bespoke dress-making services available in a city still somewhat hindered by its recent past, was a perfect way of beginning to hone the craft of couture. Fast forward 6 years, family commitments led Michelle to Amsterdam, leaving a void in the market, and so, Una picked up the gauntlet.
Since 2005, the small team at Una Rodden has produced and presented the eponymous label from an understated studio, based in an oft-overlooked side street of Belfast’s city centre. The unique and timeless styles see luxurious fabrics drape effortlessly over the female form, showing a true understanding of the body, whilst a signature vision is also lended to more structured pieces, in a way that, we trust, allows them to be lifted from the wardrobe time and again, with as much relevance and love as the day they were purchased. Working directly with the customer, has taught invaluable lessons in what women truly want to wear and how they feel in the clothes. Relying solely on word-of-mouth, our loyal clientele speaks volumes for the craftsmanship of each garment and our dedication to achieving the best result. Never willing to settle or stagnate in our practice, and in these irrevocably changing times, it is now that our label, with a hitherto semi-anonymous online presence, is prepared to embrace technology and share itself in new ways for the new era we enter.
“Creative. Dynamic. Hardworking.” These are the key elements that encapsulate Una Rodden, the brand. This is not just dress-making. As a team, the strive is towards maintaining a more artistic profile. Moving, evolving, daring, but most importantly, focusing on the craft and the quality. This is a vocation.
Complementing our signature designs, is the Boutique Collection, a carefully curated range of under-the-radar European and Japanese brands, sourced from Paris. These offer more variety and a lower price point, with limited availability still providing a sense of exclusivity. The aesthetic is a little more casual and everyday, without sacrificing the quirkiness the store is known for.
With a lifelong vision of developing a co-operative of artists and makers, our company has always championed young talent, with opportunity to share and sell their wares through the shop. It is a platform that can rarely be found upon such solid foundations. Collaborations have also been forged with local illustrators, textile printers, photographers and film makers, supporting a community of creatives in the area. Moving forward, their presence will still be felt by way of “Tribe”, the latest exciting way to explore and own a piece of their work.