Warriors are we – ‘Vanguard’ collection by Paul Galvin

Setting out “to create menswear with meaning”, former Kerry footballer and long time fashion fan Paul Galvin has revealed his collaboration with Dunnes Stores in the form of the Vanguard collection.

Paul Galvin collection

Galvin explains: “Vanguard is more a clothing movement than a clothing collection. The black and white pieces represent the mindset of a risk-taker. Risk-takers see the world in black and white. Things are as they are. The camouflage print pieces represent the military vanguard warriors who went first at great risk. To capture this spirit of risk-taking, and to develop the concept further, took work. Vanguard is as much about storytelling and narrative as it is product.”

Paul Galvin

Paul Galvin

A visit to the Dunnes Stores website reveals 16 products to the Vanguard collection including a bomber jacket and cape, knit jumper, two sweatshirts – one hooded, two shirts – one standing collared, four t-shirts, moto jeans, tapered chinos and dropped crotch joggers plus a pair of heritage boots and leather hi-tops.

The collection ranges from €25 for a t-shirt to €100 for the cape.

“To capture the essence of the vanguard, I thought of our national anthem. The first line of the chorus translates as “Soldiers Are We” or “Warriors Are We” [which] became the main slogan running throughout the collection. It appears on tee shirts and sweaters. Alongside it, “Faoi Mhóid Bheith Saor” translates as “Sworn To Be Free” and also represents the spirit of the collection and what it stands for.

 

By Olivia O’Sullivan

This article appeared in the Limerick Post 24th October 2015