The Pluck of the Irish: Daring Designers with Audacity, Bravery and Courage, Fêted on St. Patrick’s Day
Katie Hanlan, knitwear
Katie Hanlan, avant-garde knitwear
It’s a garment, a dress, a coat, a cozy, furry and inviting security blanket. It’s a statement. The out-of-this-world apparel by Katie Hanlan is absolute delight. Katie Hanlan is a knitted textiles and knitwear design consultant based in Dublin, Ireland. She develops yarns and fabrics with unbounded sophistication and imagination.
Spinexpo Collection by Katie Hanlan
What does it take to go against the norm? To march to the beat of your own drummer? To set out to do what no one else has done before you?
For Katie Hanlan as with many of the Irish designers who forge their own path, we imagine it takes guts and moral fiber, spirit, strength of character and grit. Let’s also add determination, flexibility and fortitude. Have we forgotten anything? Oh yes, absolutely, it takes passion.
Katie Hanlan is represented in the Wearingirish.com directory of Irish designers.
Lara Lavine brilliant silk scarves
Lara Levine’s first runway show, London Fashion Week, 15-02-020. Credit: Paullinus Photography
Lara Lavine pushes the boundaries of wearable art to fashion dramatic, chic, limited edition and one-of-a-kind silk scarves and apparel based on her references to the railways of Northern Ireland; using the steam train wheel as a symbolic graphic in her bold designs.
“I create the wearable art experience, exclusive limited edition ladies RTW dresses and silk scarves, where art, culture, heritage and fashion meet. My designs are inspired by the untold heritage of Northern Ireland’s industry and railways, the forgotten stories of its working people. I have been inspired by the grimy, greasy, mundane, industrial imagery, and the stories of these heritage sites.”
Lara Levine is represented in the Wearingirish.com directory of Irish designers.
Nicole van der Wolf Ship Shape necklace, and bracelet
Ship Shape ring with peridot stone, Nicole van der Wolf.
Striking jewellery with an industrial vibe and the beauty of mechanical engineering. A kinetic statement ring centered around an oxidized sterling silver cage encasing a rolling peridot gemstone. Is it a ring or a sculpture? These are jewels that do the locomotion.
“ShipShape was inspired by barrels of luxury goods transported from exotic places: lashed down for transport, but not always staying put. Unusual gems, kinetic settings, and a bold, clean look. These pieces work well worn casually but are equally fabulous as a little rebellion on your business wear.”
Nicole van der Wolf Jewellery considers jewellery as both decoration and art. “My design aesthetic is heavily influenced by scenes of my international travels. My designs include gems and precious metals to evoke memories and feelings from spectacular places.”-Nicole van der Wolf.
Úna Burke, the ultimate leather embellished footwear
Futuristic leather choker and purse
When a celebrity, entertainer, actress or musician requires stand-out, amazing leather apparel or accessories, there is only one choice, Úna Burke. But even if you’re not going to star in the next James Bond film, you can still enjoy these delectable leather garments and accessories.
Lace Leather collar by Úna Burke
This impressive leather bodice is handcrafted and custom made to order by Úna Burke, born in County Roscommon in the West of Ireland. Her leather pieces are sculptural works of art, from the smallest bracelet to a full body dress.
Úna Burke pink leather bustier
Úna Burke is represented in the Wearingirish.com directory of Irish designers.
Bespoke garments of rare beauty fashioned using a mix of pattern and texture that speaks of the artistic and original approach of this designer. With a long list of celebrity followers, Sorcha produces one-of-a-kind and limited edition designs that take one’s breath away.
Here comes the bride, all dressed in safety pins, Sorcha O’Raghallaigh
Not many times have you seen the words “sumptuous” and “safety pins” together in one sentence. Sorcha’s wedding ensembles are a marriage of innovation and luxury. The inventive work of this prolific designer, born in County Offaly, Ireland speaks of rich imagery and unexpected materials.
Regal regalia fit for an avant-garde, trailblazing Irish princess by Sorcha O’Raghallaigh.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.”
Inventing the nonexistent; blending imagination, art, design and determination, we celebrate these pioneering designers. Not only do these cutting-edge artisans take the road less traveled, they create the road. Groundbreaking, experimental, fearless. That’s the pluck of the Irish.
*A special thank you to Deirdre O’Reilly, Communications Manager of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, who was a wonderful resource for this article.
