Meet the Artist Behind the Brand

Delia McKain O’Hare

Growing up in the remote West Highlands of Scotland provided Delia with a grounding, creative foundation that continues to shape her journey as an artist, designer, and mother.

With more than 30 years of experience in fashion and the creative arts, Delia McKain brings deep expertise and passion to her work. Her greatest joy, however, is being a mother to two young adults. Her daughter Iona—who is autistic and has intellectual disabilities—inspired the creation of Iona’s World, an e-commerce and advocacy-driven brand that celebrates inclusion, diversity, and all abilities. Through partnerships with businesses and nonprofits, Iona’s World is committed to giving back and supporting like-minded communities.

Delia earned her master’s degree in Fashion Design from the prestigious Royal College of Art in London. Recruited directly to New York, she began a 14-year career in the fashion industry, gaining technical and production expertise while working in Los Angeles with designer Ricky Yeung and overseeing development in Hong Kong. Returning to New York, she designed for specialty houses including Carol Horne and Anne Pinkerton before finding her long-term home with Babette & Partners / Delia McKain. Over a decade, she became recognized for her vibrant, artful knitwear, selling collections under her own label in Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus catalog, Costco, and other specialty and department stores. She later served as Design Director for Halston knitwear.

Today, Delia resides in St. Augustine, where she enjoys a slower pace of life while dedicating her time to her daughter and to running Iona’s World.