Emily McIntyre

Unknown to most, Ireland has a rich history in textiles and craft. Having once been the world’s largest supplier of linen and the first country to introduce a ready-made clothing factory, the current fashion industry would look very different without Ireland’s contributions. In my research I came across 1950s Irish couture designer Sybil Connolly, who despite being relatively unknown today, was the designer of the dress that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wore in her Whitehouse portrait. This outfit consisted of a pleating technique that Connolly invented herself. My work took inspiration from this as I created a hand pleated design using beetled linen from the last commercial linen beetlers in the world, which is based in Northern Ireland.

For this concept I developed my own Irish brand titled ‘Ghlac Scáth É’, which translates as ‘He Took Fright’. This ties into the concept of ‘An Isle of Old Enchantment’, which refers to Ireland’s mythological background that is rarely talked about. Many myths such as banshees, mermaids and vampires could be traced back to Ireland. Using a combination of laser cutting, knit and laser engraving I developed a genderless, seasonless collection for an adventurous, risk-taking customer.