NI entrepreneur embroiders 50 limited edition MJ coats for fundraiser
By Amy Cochrane
Mon 4 Nov 2024 at 07:09
A Co Armagh entrepreneur has created 50 limited edition ‘Thriller’ jackets for an event held by a US charity founded by the King of Pop’s son.
Niamh McCarthy, who runs an online embroidery business called Niamh Designs, said it was an “honour” to create the jackets for the Heal Los Angeles Foundation (Heal LA). The charity was founded by Michael Jackson’s son Prince Jackson and John Muto in 2016 as a student service organisation at Loyola Marymount University.
The jackets were bespoke creations for a fundraising event held by the charity at the Palace Theatre in LA last weekend. The theatre famously appeared in Michael Jackson’s video for the iconic song Thriller which was released on November 14 1983.
With a mission to combat homelessness, child abuse, and hunger in Los Angeles, Heal LA has raised over $500,000 over the years, assisting low-income youth in need, as well as supporting various local charities and initiatives.
Niamh told the Belfast Telegraph that after submitting a few design options to Heal LA they settled on one which fitted the bill — a red cotton oversized bomber jacket with a tartan lining and embroidery on the front and back.
“The oversized fitting is great because it can really be a unisex fit and a small to extra-large can fit in it,” she said.
“We chose red because Michael Jackson was never his iconic red leather jacket in the music video and the tartan adds an edgy, punky look and it’s very 80s. On the back we used metallic thread to embroider the Heal LA logo in pink and the Palace in pink and the Heal LA logo in red. Each jacket was made with a line of embroidery and out of red right here in Co Armagh. This is the biggest order I’ve ever received to date.”
The Thriller event took place on October 26 where Michael Jackson fans gathered from near and far at the Palace Theatre in LA to celebrate the best-selling album of all time that has remained a track which still influences the charts.
The Heal Los Angeles Foundation also posted on their Instagram feed about the jackets that were created to celebrate Jackson and Thriller at the location since 1983.
Niamh said she was “humbled” that her small business was asked to be part of it.
“I have always loved Michael Jackson’s music — I remember listening to Thriller back when I was in school — and I saw the musical in London,” she said.
The 30-year-old said she was delighted to collaborate with the charity on the recent jacket order.
“The jackets were part of this huge event in LA and I was so honoured to be asked,” she said. “The important work they are doing in LA is really important and probably something America and the world could not do without — a non-profit focused on fighting social issues and educating young people in the greater Los Angeles area. It means so much for charities like this in America, the struggle for poor families is so great.”
Niamh is no stranger to creating jackets for the rich and famous. She was known for creating a one-of-a-kind jacket for Kourtney Kardashian’s baby shower with her husband Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker.
She also designed a number of sequin-embroidered bomber jackets this summer in conjunction with the hugely popular Taylor Swift Eras tour which ran all across the UK and Europe.
“I sold over 500 jackets across the UK and Europe during the Taylor Swift Eras Tour and it was fantastic,” she said.
“I’ve sold my jackets mostly to America, but I’ve seen recent jumps in Europe and Australia. About 80% of my jackets go to America. I now sell to 50 states across America including Texas, New York, California, Nevada, Colorado and North Carolina. To see your products being sold daily is just fantastic.”
Niamh Designs was set up by Niamh McCarthy in 2019, having studied fashion and textiles at Ulster University.
The Lurgan entrepreneur also works at Fuzz Letchers, a local artist and well-known muralist.
Niamh was named Young Businesswoman of the Year at the Women in Business NI Awards in 2021.
She’s been described as a market leader in her chosen niche of customised embroidered jackets and continues to serve brides and grooms across the world with her unique creations.
Check out www.niamhdesigns.com for any up-to-date projects or designs.
