6 One of Us
Ponte Vedra Recorder · October 15, 2015
How did you get your start in fashion?
I started doing local trunk shows.
It’s always been something I wanted to
do. In high school, I started designing
prom dresses. I met a local designer in
St. Augustine and she introduced me to
a pattern maker that worked for Betsey
Johnson. I started working with them
making one of a kind pieces and having local trunk shows. In 2011, I entered
Miami International Fashion Week’s
emerging designer competition and I
was in the top three — so that really
helped to catapult me into the next level of this very difficult business.
When did you officially launch Erin
Healy Designs?
March of 2008, so it’s been seven
years. I have a studio in St. Augustine
and I also have a studio by appointment
that I share in Jacksonville Beach.
What type of clothing does your collection include?
I do women’s apparel. I started out
doing mainly dresses and then got into
separates, but I still love doing dresses.
I work with mostly prints that are imported from Europe — they’re all limited editions.
Where is your collection available?
I’m in A’propos Boutique in Ponte Vedra; Jaffi’s in Neptune Beach and here
in St. Augustine, in Rochelle’s. I sell to
high-end boutiques from Texas, over to
North Carolina and down the southeast.
I’m starting to sell online too.
What is it about this line of work that
you find so compelling?
The creative aspect of it. I love the
fabrics; I love to make women feel good.
Nothing makes me happier than when
they put on a dress that I designed for
them custom-wise or it’s ready-to-wear,
and they feel beautiful, they look beautiful and just to see them smile. I love
that. It’s such a reward.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m a yogi. I enjoy running — anything outdoors. I like to swim, I like to
be out in nature, and I love to travel.
Erin Healy
is a Jacksonville native and self-taught fashion
designer who lives and works in St. Augustine. Healy has a master’s degree
in special education from Florida State University and taught for about five
years before taking time off when she had her children. Then, in 2008, she
launched Erin Healy Designs. Healy says she feels blessed to be doing what
she loves for a living, as fashion is something that has interested her since
she was young, and she loves seeing the smiles on her customers’ faces
when they try on their custom-made or ready-to-wear pieces in her collection. Healy has three daughters and a cat named Coco (after Healy’s idol,
Coco Chanel).
— Carrie Resch
The Recorder
When will you be unveiling your new
collection?
The next event that you’ll be able to
see the new collection is going to be
at the BEAM charity fashion event for
Sterling’s birthday party. The entrance is
a toy or a book and a non-perishable
food item. It’s Dec. 16 at the Casa Marina. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Is giving back to charity something you
are passionate about?
Oh yes. I’ve done charities for Dreams
Come True, Hubbard House, St. Jude,
breast cancer, BEAM and many more. I
am always wanting to do stuff for charity. I feel like I have a talent that I’ve
been gifted with, and I want to be able
to give back when I can.
I’m very thankful.