University of Limerick Alumni Spotlight: Shauna Courtney

In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to International Business graduate and fashion designer Shauna Courtney. 

From making core memories in college and graduating during lockdown, to launching her own fashion label and showcasing at London Fashion Week, Shauna discusses how her time in UL gave her the skills and confidence to pursue her dream career. 

Tell us about yourself? 

My name is Shauna and I am a 25-year-old fashion designer from Kerry! I studied International Business in UL from 2016 to 2020.  

I always knew I wanted to work for myself so after finishing my degree in Covid, I prioritised getting hands-on experience in the fashion industry, for very little money.  

I got a four-week unpaid internship with a celebrity stylist in 2021 and relocated to London. This quickly led to other opportunities as a fashion assistant and stylist, so I pursued that until 2024 when I finally launched my own label, Shauna Courtney London.  

Why did you choose to study Bachelor of Arts in International Business at UL? 

I chose to study International Business (IB) because of the variety of the course. I was always very career driven and knew exactly where I wanted to go, but I was also afraid of tying myself to one area too early on.  

The flexibility you get in IB was what really drew me to it. Because I knew I wanted to be self-employed, I thought it was important that I have a general understanding of several different areas which this course offered.  

What did you enjoy most about the course? 

I loved how varied it was, it felt like I got a full understanding of the business world and each pocket of it. I also liked that a lot of modules were project based.  

I'm a practical person, so being able to apply what I was learning to real life situations was really interesting to me!  

I also loved the people and met some of my best friends in the course, I think they made my experience ten times better.  

As a KBS student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like as a student here? 

It was great. I had some amazing lecturers like Maurice Patterson, who really impacted how I approach branding for my business and Conor Carroll who was extremely supportive in helping me decide where I wanted to go.  

I also loved using the trading floor in the Kemmy, as that was a totally new experience for me. The facilities in UL overall are amazing though, using the gym & library were both core parts of my experience as a student. The gym & classes in UL are 10/10. 

What advice would you offer to others considering your course? 

I think trust your gut. I knew instinctively that this course was for me because I didn't necessarily want to specialise too early on.  

Think about what job you can visualise yourself doing and see if this course will help you get there.  

For anyone who wants to work in a creative field, I think it's so valuable to have a business background as it gives you an edge and knowledge that others in the field don't have.  

I didn't do the typical grad program route and I am still so happy with my choice to do this course.  

What are some of your favourite memories from your time at UL? 

It's so hard to choose one, but I think going to Stables for Techno Tuesday and DJ Paudie on Wednesday. It's such a core memory of my experience in UL and those were some of the best nights ever.  

Also Student Raceday was always so much fun. I think also just the day-to-day life, going to lectures with my friends, being on campus, popping in to see the ladies in the library cafe, it was all just an amazing time.  

At UL, we’re known as the ‘Home of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced as a UL student, that you would like to share? 

For sure. It was my first time living away from home, my first time studying something I loved, just all the aspects of becoming an independent adult that I experienced in UL. 

Can you tell us about your work placements during the course?

I worked for Thermohouse, which is a sustainable construction company, as a Marketing Assistant. I absolutely loved my time there.  

It was a surprise to me as much as anyone that the fashion girl was working in a quarry but I learned so much in that role.  

It also taught me that you can pick up and learn so much about an area you are clueless in, just by getting stuck in. My manager was amazing and also taught me how to hold your own in a male dominated industry.  

I really loved my placement and did not want to leave. It ignited a huge passion for construction - it's surprisingly similar to fashion design.  

Tell us about your own career journey? 

I graduated from UL in 2020, in the thick of lockdown, so I didn't get the initial launch into my career that I had anticipated.  

I had no desire at that stage to go straight into a huge corporation and knew I wanted to work in the creative industry in some capacity. It wasn't until 2021, when regulations were lifting, that I secured my internship with a celebrity stylist in London.  

I moved to London in September with nothing but a four-week internship and a vibe. Working in celebrity styling was hard work but I absolutely loved it. I was around the best clothes in the world every day, getting actresses ready for red carpets, international press tours and shoots.  

At the end of my internship, I was offered an assistant role for four months, as it was a particularly busy time for the office. After that I began assisting other stylists and just worked my way around, doing as much work as I could.  

I worked seven-days a week some weeks and was just extremely passionate about the job, so I was happy to really graft. I got some experience during this time of the process of starting a brand, as I was assisting someone who was doing it.  

I then realised that I could bring a really special product to the market. Thanks to the hundreds of hours I spent in fittings, as well as the extreme luxury that I was working with, I could create a unique product that bridged the gap between luxury and the high street.  

Because I didn't have to pay anyone to cut and fit my clothing properly, I cut out a huge product cost. The result was a six-piece collection of luxury garments that are at a really affordable price. I use all natural materials, everything is 100% cotton - which you just don't see, even in the mid-luxury market.  

The collection has grown to eight pieces, I've been featured in British Vogue three times and had two sell-out items.  

What has been a career highlight so far? 

Without a doubt, showcasing my most recent collection at London Fashion Week. Not bad for a brand that's five months old.