Enterprising Irish: Caterina Coyne

Caterina Coyne is a fashion designer from Inverin, County Galway, whose creative journey began on the stage as the lead dancer with Riverdance, touring around the world.

During her time on the road, especially across North America, she was drawn to Los Angeles, not only for its warm weather, but by its energy, ambition, and promise of reinvention. After retiring from dance, she returned to Ireland to pursue her long-standing dream of fashion design, training at the Grafton Academy and founding her label, Caterina Coyne, while still a student.

Caterina sees a natural synergy between Ireland and Los Angeles, one rooted in a balance between tradition and innovation. The Irish creative community in LA, though small, is vibrant and collaborative, something she describes as uniquely Irish. For Caterina, Ireland is more than a home, it’s a feeling and a creative force she carries with her in every stitch, every story, and every red carpet moment.

Read her interview

Intro yourself, where are you from, how did you find yourself in LA.

"My name is Caterina Coyne, I am a fashion designer from Inverin co Galway. I have spent time living in Los Angeles over the course of the last decade mostly splitting my time between LA and Ireland but when COVID hit I ended up staying in LA and have been here since."

What inspired you to bring your business to Los Angeles?

"It wasn’t really a question as to whether I would bring my business to LA because designing and being creative is part of who I am so It was a natural progression to continue my work in Los Angeles. However it was always a big dream to do what I do in LA. Being the epicenter of so many red carpet events and premiers etc. it seemed like the best place to be!"

Can you tell us a little bit about your journey from Ireland to LA?

"So my journey to LA actually started with Irish Dancing! Before I moved into fashion I was the Lead Dancer in Riverdance for ten years! I travelled the world with the show and spent 80% of that time touring North America.

This gave me the opportunity to see all of America. I have been to every state, big towns, small towns, you name it and I was most likely there, but LA always had that draw.

The beautiful weather, and that 'you can do anything or become anything you put your mind to' attitude was what I loved about the city.

After I hung up my dancing shoes, I spent a few years in LA before deciding that I wanted to go back to college and do something that I always dreamed of doing and that was Fashion.

It was important to me to learn the skill of how to make clothes and understand garment construction so that I felt confident entering a competitive industry but also to see was it really something I wanted to pursue and pour my heart and soul into.

So I went back to Ireland and studied at the Grafton Academy in Dublin. I started my label Caterina Coyne when I was in college and really things just took off for me. When COVID hit obviously things changed drastically and instead of coming home like many people did at the time, we decided to go to LA and see how we could make things work there. And we have been here since!"

Has your Irish identity influenced the way you do business here?

"Yes absolutely! In a fast-placed city like LA, I think my Irish roots keep me grounded and focused on creating with purpose, not just following trends."

Are there any Irish traditions that you bring into your work or workplace?

"I have incorporated Carrickmacross Lace into my work. I love delicate and feminine fabrics and I fell in love with the detail and craft that has been passed down from generation to generation."

Have you noticed a growing interest in Irish culture or products in LA?

"I think there is a real curiosity and appreciation for Irish craftsmanship, heritage and storytelling worldwide.

People respond to authenticity, and Irish creatives have real depth and character that is hard to match. We are master story tellers and our history and traditions are alluring to other cultures."

What role do you think the Irish community plays in LA’s broader creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem?

"The Irish Community here is small but mighty. Full of creativity, generosity and hustle. I feel a strong spirit of collaboration and support and I think that’s something uniquely Irish.

We show up for each other and we bring that global perspective with a grounded no nonsense approach."

What does the relationship between Ireland and LA mean to you personally and professionally?

"Ireland is where I’m rooted and where I feel the most inspired creatively and emotionally, LA has pushed me to dream big and has taught me to take chances and keep evolving both professionally and personally.

The relationship between the two is a constant exchange: Tradition and innovation, soul and ambition. I carry both in everything I do."

Are there any collaborations or opportunities you’ve seen between Ireland and LA that excite you?

"The potential for creative exchange is huge and I feel we have only scratched the surface of what is possible.

I would love too see more Irish designers showcased in LA - Irish talent in the film industry has always been stellar and its really exciting to see the rise of young up and coming creatives being nominated for awards and gaining recognition so I’m excited to see how this may cross over into the Irish Fashion Industry."

What advice would you give to another Irish entrepreneur thinking of setting up in LA?

"Trust your instinct and lean into your Irishness! It’s a superpower! Build relationships, be adaptable and don’ t be afraid to start small. LA can be overwhelming but it also rewards boldness and resilience."

Is there a moment in your career here that really made you feel proud to be Irish?

"Dressing some of the Irish nominated creatives for there 95th Academy awards will always be the highlight of my career. I hope I get to do it again, but it will be hard to top that memory.

I dressed Cleona Ni Chrualaoi producer of the Oscar-nominated feature film An Cailin Ciuin (The Quiet Girl) and its star actress Catherine Clinch. They both wore custom Caterina Coyne. It was such a beautiful experience, being able to experience the lead up to such an event and also be part of it in a small way will stay with me forever.

The morning of the Oscars I was at my store on Sunset Blvd steaming the dresses and just checking everything over before I delivered them to the hotel and there was a knock on the door.

A lovely lady, a little in distress telling me her Oscar dress didn’t fit and she didn’t know what to do. She picked a beautiful silver beaded Caterina Coyne off the rack and said lets hope it fits! It did, and later that night I saw her onstage receiving an Oscar along with the cast and creatives for Everything Everywhere all at Once! It was icing on the cake to what was already the best day."

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome as an Irish business owner abroad?

"Balancing creative integrity with the demands of running a business is a challenge, but I don’t think that’s exclusive to being abroad, I think that’s a challenge wherever you are.

Especially as a creative, because your heart and soul will push you to make certain decisions, but to run a successful business you sometimes have to ignore that and follow your head.

Not having family around can sometimes be hard. In them moments of uncertainty there is nothing quite like having a cuppa with your Mum or sisters to try and figure things out. Thank goodness for FaceTime!"

If you could share one message about Ireland with Angelenos, what would it be?

"Ireland is more than a place, it’s a feeling. It’s warmth, depth and wit. Storytelling and tradition. We are a small country with huge creative heart and that spirt lives in everything we do and make."

- Caterina Coyne

Follow Caterina on Instagram: @caterinacoyne
Shop Caterina's designs online: caterinacoyne.com