We caught up with emerging Irish fashion designer Emma Manley who has just finished working on her second collection.
Take a look at gorgeous photos of the collection here.
The Dublin-born designer relocated from London this year to concentrate on launching her brand, Manley, in the Irish market place.
Having started out in the fashion industry doing internships with the likes of Alexander McQueen in London and high-end sportswear brand VPL NYC in New York, she is now ready to make her mark on the scene.
Sarah McIntyre What's it been like working on your second collection?
Emma Manley: I learned so much from my last collection that I felt I had a lot more to bring to the table with this one. I feel as a designer my style is maturing with every collection so for me this collection was a step up from the last. I suppose now it feels real. Manley is on the road I want it to be on and I need to keep pushing it harder to keep the momentum going. This collection is really steering it in the right direction.
SMI: What was your inspiration for the pieces?
EM: For this collection my initial inspiration was Bauhaus art, the big and basic shapes mixed with bold colours. The Manley aesthetic is quite romantic so for me the big challenge was making something beautiful using tough fabrics, hard shapes and strong lines. I introduced terribly feminine fabrics to balance out the pig skin. Essentially, I softened my inspiration and hardened my garments basic structure
SMI: How have you found relocating to Dublin from London?
EM: Pretty easy. London was amazing and hugely inspirational but now it's about making Manley work. Since the early days of selling in Cow's Lane Market and The Loft Market, the Irish have been so supportive but I guess that’s our culture, we're devoted to supporting our own. Coming back to Dublin really verified my want and need to be back here. I'm seeing Dublin with new eyes and I've realised just how much more there is to discover. I want to be an Irish designer and damn proud of it, being based in Dublin is just another string to the Manley bow.
SMI: Where can we pick up your lovely designs?
EM: Bow, the ground floor of the Powerscourt Town House, Dublin 2.
