A New Generation of Irish Fashion Designers Incorporating Heritage with Contemporary Designs.
With the rise of sustainability and transparency, there’s a renewed focus on Irish design and pieces that will last a lifetime. Discover some of the most talented Irish designers who are transforming the fashion world.
Feature Image: Katie Ann McGuiganÂ
The Tweed Project
Operating from an atelier in Galway. Designers Aoibheann McNamara and Triona Lillis create beautiful handmade, one-off pieces that combine Irish fabrics with contemporary designs. They are part of the Slow Fashion movement where fabric and craft take priority over trends. They have created a truly authentic expression of Irish design.
Ros Duke
A luxury cashmere knitwear designer, Ros Duke creates personal pieces that celebrate individuality and sustainability. Having worked alongside John and Simone Rocha for 10 years as part of the design team she launched her brand in 2015. She focuses on using natural materials and innovative stitching techniques along with the brands signature colour palette for original, timeless pieces.
Aoife McNamara
A graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design, designer Aoife McNamara is taking the Irish fashion industry by a storm. Her bold colours and striking fabric choices have attracted a massive following. Her latest collection ‘The Paris Edit’ has just launched on a pre-order only basis in order to reduce the amount of waste done to our planet by the fashion industry every day.
Colin Horgan
Acclaimed Irish womenswear designer whose pieces have been seen on celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa to name a few. His completely unique aesthetic has been noted as having innovative fabrications with a fresh edge. His energy and creativity is reflected in his bold sculptural shapes attracting the fashion-focused daring women of today.
Aideen Gaynor
Brooklyn-born, Dublin-reared designer Aideen Gaynor graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 2016. She has since recently graduated from an MFA in Fashion Design & Society at Parsons and has showcased as part of her class in New York Fashion Week. Her unique and feminine designs take inspiration from her late grandparents. With post-production plans in place, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this young Irish designer.
Richard Malone
A designer who is fully committed to sustainable and ethical fashion. He is fully transparent even down to the hourly rates for his employees, tailors, and local cutters. He also works exclusively with weavers and mills to ensure that only organic and plant-derived dyes are used. It is this commitment to traceability within the supply chain and sustainability that led to him winning the prestigious Woolmark Prize. Previous winners including Karl Lagerfeld and Yves St Laurent, Malone has an exciting career ahead of him.
Katie Ann McGuigan
Winner of ‘Fashion Designer of the Year’ at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards in 2019, womenswear designer Katie Ann McGuigan creates unique, exciting pieces with striking prints and textures. Her collections feature layered knits, tulle dresses and panelled skirts showcasing her eye-catching fresh take on fashion.
