Póg x Arnotts

What experiences and moments in you journey inspired the creation of PÓG?

It’s been a long road of highs and lows as both entrepreneur – creative and Mum. Being a Mum especially and understanding the younger generations and the neurodiverse community is what drives me.

Both being a Mum and an entrepreneur are intertwined and have very much influenced the essence and development of POG.

I returned to Ireland after 15 years of working and living in Paris, where I had built my first label and luxury business, which was hugely successful. It was a very challenging time, personally and professionally. I felt very alone and disconnected to my roots, thus it influenced me to create something that could soothe and comfort people.

The idea came from my son's little Kiss and the amends I wanted to make for being bad at Irish in school, and PÓG came to life.

My sons personal challenges impacted me hugely, it inspired me to think and respond to the younger generation, their needs, emotional challenges, values and their concerns re environment.

I collaborated with Anne Kernan – a brilliant designer who headed up product development at LINKS, she too had Irish Roots, we researched the jewellery market and identified a GAP.

Anne helped me develop the technical side of the products and advised on the range..

We put POG to the test launched our first bracelet –with Aerlingus + JIGSAW. Covid landed which upset the progress for a while.

What is the cultural significance of the brand, relating to the heritage, brand name and values. Why do these mean so much to you?

Ireland has changed so much over the past 20 years. I felt important to capture our heritage – and drew from the love symbolism of the Claddagh, this fuelled the essence. I wanted the pieces to have both meaning and purpose, that could reflect our diverse youth culture – their values. PÓG is easy to remember, it’s a kind beautiful word, its universal and captures the Irish Spirit.

Its important to communicate to our Young people , connect with them, and support them..

My mission is to build a symbol of modern love for the Future Generations – and the Irish diaspora.

What is your concept of “Irish Love”. What does it mean to you?

Irish love : Irelands culture is rooted in generosity and a welcome to all comers, pog expresses this. Irish Love is welcoming, heart-warming, its a sense of belonging and community, a comforting feeling, friendship. That we feel all over in Ireland.

Irish love is a special inclusive GRA for everyone, it’s for everyone who needs love, those who are missing home, who come to visit, who live faraway, who are feeling lonely, it’s for everyone .

Why is this store launch so important to Póg?

Arnotts being one of Ireland's most iconic luxury stores, presented a great opportunity for PÓG to finally have the chance to not only connect the Diaspora and International people, but Irish people aswell, especially the youth. It is a really exciting opportunity to collaborate with an all Irish luxury store aswell, we want to show our newest designs. We hope PÓG reaches far and wide connecting people together with Irish Love.

What pieces are you most excited about showcasing at this store location?

I am excited about showing our first collection, where it all started and what made PÓG what it is today, we are bringing the full range and our sensory bracelets, a very important component to us. We are also showing our very new collection called Modern Love, which brings a new dynamic to POG

Why is it important for Póg Jewellery to be neurodiverse-friendly and support mental health initiatives?

I am and always have been an advocate for mental health. As a mom to a young person who has had struggles with mental health and seeing it all around in family and friends, I wanted to shed a new light on it. I embrace neurodiversity and speak loud and proud about it, to help remove the stigma around it and bring awareness to the miss representation. There is so much misinformation and it is truly sad to see people feel alienated because of it. I want PÓG to be a reminder to people out there that they are seen and heard.

PÓG jewellery is neurodiverse friendly in order to be truly inclusive. up to one in five of us are neuro diverse in one form and another be that autism ,ADHD or any number of sensory processing challenges. Having a brain that works differently can make life especially challenging in a world designed by and for Neurotypicals. in addition the experience of being different often comes with significant stigma. There is a lack of understanding of the experience of being neurodivergent and. today Ireland is a modern diverse nation maintaining our ancient impulse in generosity and love for people.

What impact do you hope Póg Jewellery will have on the community and the environment?

PÓG is sustainable, it is mindful and it brings people together. I am hoping PÓG becomes a symbol of unity and Irish Love.

What message do you want to give to the people out there?

Don't be afraid to be unique. Find us in Arnotts, Dublin, come on in and share the Love! x

https://www.arnotts.ie