Ted 1942, a luxury fashion brand based in Co. Westmeath, is set to broaden its presence across Europe in the coming year. Founded in 2016 by spouses Kasia Gaborec-McEvoy and Brendan McEvoy, the business has raised €390,000 to date and operates with a small team of three staff.
The brand’s roots trace back to Ted Carberry, a saddlemaker who began his craft in 1942. He is the grandfather of Brendan McEvoy, and Ted 1942 is a modern-day reinvention of his original business.
“We’re a heritage luxury handbag brand,” Gaborec-McEvoy explained. “We discovered Ted’s story and decided to continue his legacy of creating luxury handbags and accessories. Everything is designed in Ireland, with the Georgian door as our main design inspiration.”
A Heritage Reborn
Ted 1942’s unique collection is known for its elegant design, with each handbag featuring a small door at the front and a special mechanism designed in collaboration with a Paris-based company over the past year. Originally, the brand focused on luxury men’s bags, including wallets, satchels, and briefcases, tailored to the tech sector.
However, after finding limited demand for tech-oriented designs, the company shifted towards more traditional products. Surprisingly, 75% of its customers were women purchasing gifts for men. As a result, Ted 1942 began designing bags specifically for women.
“We wanted to create something that would resonate with all our customers,” Gaborec-McEvoy said. “Brendan got the idea to incorporate the Georgian door while stuck in traffic in Dublin. The door is a symbol of family and heritage, much like our own brand.”
Rebranding for Global Growth
In September, the company rebranded from its previous name, My Name is Ted, to Ted 1942 as part of a strategy to increase international appeal. “We felt that Ted 1942 would be more recognizable and appealing to customers overseas,” Gaborec-McEvoy noted.
The company now sells to 23 countries online, and its retail partners include clients in the US and Singapore. Gaborec-McEvoy expressed confidence that the brand will continue to grow, with plans to raise more capital in the first quarter of next year.
“We know we need to raise funds, but we’re still figuring out how much we’ll need. We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” she said. “In the next 18 months, I want people to think of us as a luxury staple in both the US and Europe.”
Support from Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland has played a crucial role in Ted 1942’s success. Gaborec-McEvoy praised the agency’s mentoring and networking opportunities, which have supported the brand’s growth. “They’ve been a great partner, and I’ve built lasting relationships through them,” she said.
Looking ahead, Ted 1942 is poised to expand further, fueled by the lessons learned and the partnerships formed in its early years. As the brand continues to push into new markets, its founders remain focused on honoring their heritage while expanding into the global luxury fashion industry.
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