"The Morrison Visa opened the door for me to follow my dreams, my talent was recognized, utilized, and I did extraordinary things."
In 1993, I was living in Paris when I received my Morrison Visa and made the leap to New York City, a city I had long admired from afar. What awaited me was not only the pulse of fashion’s global capital but a chance to chase a dream on my own terms.
I landed in New York without contacts, a network, or a roadmap. Finding a job in the fashion industry as an outsider was a monumental challenge. I was entirely on my own, armed only with ambition, resilience, and a portfolio of ideas. But New York is a city that rewards those who persevere.
“One of the most surreal moments in my early days was being interviewed by Ralph Lauren himself at his Madison Avenue headquarters. It was a pinch-me moment that underscored the fact that, in America, anything felt possible.”
Eventually, I secured a position as a design assistant with a renowned evening wear designer. That job turned into a decade-long tenure, during which I rose through the ranks to become his Design Director. From there, my career took flight.
I went on to resurrect the iconic Badgley Mischka evening wear line before launching THEIA, the evening wear and bridal brand that achieved worldwide acclaim. Dressing Oprah Winfrey to accept her Oscar at the 2012 Academy Awards stands out as a particularly proud moment. Over the years, I had the honour of dressing some of the most famous women in the world.
“Though I never owned the brands I helped shape, I spent over 30 years in New York generating hundreds of millions of dollars in business for my employers and for the luxury retailers who stocked my collections.”
I poured my creativity and heart into each piece, and in doing so, found both recognition and fulfilment.
The Morrison Visa opened the door that changed everything. I worked very, very hard, but America gave me the chance. My talent was recognised, embraced, and nurtured. It was, for me, truly the land of opportunity. My story is a testament to what becomes possible when talent meets a pathway, and for me, that path began with the Morrison Visa.
Your experience is a part of the Morrison Legacy. Whether it’s about the opportunities the Morrison Visa created or the connections it fostered, your experience helps celebrate the lasting impact of this program on the Irish-American community. Join us in preserving this incredible legacy by sharing your journey today.
