Design from the west of Ireland to the world

College pals return to Ireland to set up new ethical label ‘Murala’

Alan Kelly will be a familiar name to some from when he was a student of Limerick Senior College (now LCFE) and won the prestigious Irish Smirnoff Fashion Awards 1996. The Limerick designer is one half of new ethical label Murala, along with Sandra Murphy.

The Irish designers met in college, found success in global fashion capitals London and New York respectively, and returned home to form a unique design partnership. Their combined careers saw them design for brands like ASOS, Topshop, Gap and Victoria’s Secret. Continue reading

Classic or contemporary, which are you?

Irish designers redefining what it means to be an Irish woman in 2018

Since Dunnes Stores introduced their Paul Costelloe collaboration in the early 2000s and then appointed Carolyn Donnelly as creative director, I’ve been fascinated by what their designers – all Irish – are producing for the Irish woman. And the Irish man too of course; Costelloe has a men’s range which is quite classic, along with Paul Galvin’s edgier offering and Padraig Harrington’s golf look.

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