Journalist Victoria G.L. Brunton caught up with Limerick designer Aoife McNamara at a day-long event in Armada House to discuss her Spring/Summer collection, sustainable design and family support.
When I spoke to Aoife McNamara a few weeks before her show, she promised a runway set in the midst of the Irish landscape, bow-adorned silhouettes bursting with colour and an entire collection designed with our environment at heart.
The Limerick-born designer did not disappoint.
Far too innovative for the classic single show method, McNamara instead hosted a day-long event in Armada House, Spanish Point. Upon arrival, the attention to detail was immediately impactful. Every last detail, from the picturesque scenery to the William Morris-patterned walls, was synonymous with the inspiration behind this season's designs: Bláth Fiáin, or Wild Flowers.
After some time to catch up with the other guests, we were all guided down to the beach. I can safely say every single person's jaw dropped when we arrived to find somber models strutting down a catwalk replaced by thoroughly happy women striding down the beach, barefoot, in front of a backdrop that was no less than heaven-sent.
The sun beamed down through clear, blue skies and the wind was non-existent; such a rare sight in Ireland (never mind the Wild Atlantic Way) it might have stolen some attention from McNamara’s designs - luckily, they were far too impressive for that to happen.
The show opened with a striking, intricately embroidered sweater vest designed by up-and-coming designer Mihai Mar and created in collaboration with Fibreshed. Using a blend of Irish wool and dead-stock natural yarns, the detailed graphic beautifully introduced the 'soil to soil’ philosophy that continued throughout this collection.
Chatting to us about the subject, McNamara said "Collaboration is so important when it comes to wanting to be sustainable - you can’t do it on your own, you know? I think for me, it's so nice to be able to support other creatives as well, in what I do."
McNamara went on to reveal her own favourite piece in the line-up. "I think the gorgeous two-piece, in a pretty pink colour inspired by Red Champion petals, is definitely my number one. It has Victorian puffed sleeves, big oversized shoulder pads and a cinched waist with a big bow at the back. It’s beautiful."
Once the show drew to a close, we were once again led back to Armada House. There, we found our seats along one of the most beautifully table-scaped settings I have ever witnessed and listened intently as McNamara shared a few words about her journey as a designer as well as the inspiration behind and the significance of her SS23 collection.
Finishing the evening on an incredibly high note, we were treated to a three-course, plant-based meal that was almost too beautiful to eat. Each dish was wonderfully described by Bernard Cahill, McNamara’s partner-in-crime and Well-being Manager at the Armada Hotel, where we learned that the ingredients used were all locally grown, harvested and prepared by the hotel’s celebrated kitchen team.
Unsurprisingly, family has been a source of immense support for McNamara - something that was plain to see in the faces of all the young designer's loved ones, sat around the table in awe and beaming with pride, simultaneously.
"My parents are the most supportive parents in the world. Literally. I could say anything and they’d be like - go for it!" McNamara explained, "They’ve been like that since day one with me and all the way through my life. I suppose they just believe in me, which is nice."
Perhaps it’s this encouragement that has fuelled McNamara’s drive: with ambitions to conquer the metaverse and NYC on the horizon, the ceiling is quite literally glass with this gifted and thriving Irish designer. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
Explore Aoife McNamara’s Bláth Fiáin collection online now at www.aoifemcnamara.com. Click through the photo gallery at the top of the page to see some of the looks.
