Irish Fashion and Designers

Irish Fashion

Although traditional Irish fashions like the Brogue shoe and the Aran jumper came about around the sixteenth century some of these influential pieces are used in fashion toady. A lot of Irish fashion designers use natural fabrics and incorporate traditional patterns in their collections and because of its simplistic roots evidence of traditional Irish fashion is even seen in the high street today. (see pictures)

Traditional Aran Jumper:

Image from: http://www.shopirish.com/

High Street Jumper:

Image from: http://www.hm.com/ie/

Some of the most well-known Irish fashion designers are: Philip Treacy, Paul Costelloe, Orla Kiely and John Rocha.

Philip Treacy
This Irish born designer has designed for huge fashion names such as Ralph Lauren, Chanel and Alexander McQueen. He mainly designs hats some of which were worn at the most recent royal wedding.

Paul Costelloe
Paul Costelloe has his own label which was based in Dublin but now London. His designs include natural fabrics. He has been in the fashion industry for the last 30 years and his father was involved with Irish rainwear.

Orla Kiely
Orla Kiely started her fashion career in designing hats she broadened into handbags after her first London Fashion Week when she realised hardly anyone was wearing hats. She now owns her own business based in London.

John Rocha
Although John Rocha was born in Hong Kong, he moved to Ireland after graduating from art school and he still lives there today. Rocha designs 'pret-a-porter' (off the rack) men and womenswear for Irish stores such as Awear and Brown Thomas.