Kate Brayden speaks to Irish designer and DJ Megan Nolan Walsh about the Dublin fashion scene, garnering inspiration from queer dance floors, Irish pride and spotting her Claddagh collection on well known faces and inspiring fellow artists.
Anyone who pays attention to Irish trends will undoubtedly recognise Megan Nolan Walsh's pieces, created under her own MNW brand.
Be it the now-staple Claddagh scarves spotted on the capital’s most stylish streets and Other Voices festival in Dingle, to the bedazzled Éire tank top appearing on Big Brother UK of all places; Megan’s eye for symbols and unique textiles has allowed her self-owned business to flourish.
In the short few years since its inception, MNW Design has produced collections spotted on some of Ireland’s most influential social media figures, DJs and fellow artists, from Nell Mescal to James Kavanagh. Stocked in Golly Gosh and Om Diva boutiques in Dublin, plus Aodha in Westport, Megan’s business only grows bigger by the year.
Chatting to the 27-year-old Lucan designer from her city centre studio, Walsh recently launched her vibrant new Claddagh collection of tanks, shorts, hats and scarves online, with plenty planned for her winter collection.
Despite being "intimidated by the idea of academia as someone with dyslexia and ADHD", Walsh was always driven to pursue her career, and was pushed on by the support of her parents. The timing of kickstarting her own business came after Walsh finished her Textiles degree in NCAD in 2021, during the pandemic.
"I did loads of internships while I was in college because I knew I wanted to work for myself," she adds. Walsh started her business at 25, with stints in the hallowed Evan's Arts Supplies and Om Diva Boutique, despite feeling that she's "always been terrible at doing what I'm told in the workplace!"
"I just needed to finish college and figure it out."
It was during her Erasmus year at Norway's University of Bergen in the Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design that Megan first used the Claddagh symbol as part of her weaving practice, saving up her money from DJing to fund the first round of 100 Claddagh scarves.
"I sold them to my mates, and it was all about queer love a century ago when the symbol came out and what queer love looks like now", she recalls. "I did a photoshoot with all of my queer friends and James Kavanagh saw it. He bought the scarf the next day and I got hundreds of messages after he posted it on Instagram. The scarves all sold out instantly."
Surely the Claddagh shorts have been sent Paul Mescal’s way?
"I’m manifesting that!" Walsh laughs.
The likes of Nell Mescal, NewDad’s Julie Dawson, PJ Kirby, James Kavanagh, Aika Mal, Eliza Rose, Salvatore of Lucan and more have been spotted wearing MNW Design, with a core demographic coming from the music and visual arts community. Megan’s own music is performed under her Mercorn moniker, and has seen her expand her brand’s horizons.
Working with Ema, the Yamamori Tengu booker and Skin&Blister club founder, originally led Megan into the world of DJing, which has given her designs a core audience.
"Ema said she wanted to start a collective of female DJs, but all I did at the time was make playlists!" Walsh smiles. "I knew I wanted to pursue DJing as soon as I tried it."
DJing has also informed her designs: "Now I make clothes for DJs and the queer community. I wanted to wear tops that aren't overly sexualised when I’m on the decks. I wanted sportswear comfort, not revealing clothes.
"The tanks were originally for myself, but some of my queer friends weren’t comfortable in them and wanted something looser. I need to consider other people’s wants as a designer. I want the clothes to fit every body type as a goal. I want to be as accessible as possible."
Music is also how Walsh scored one of her biggest, and most unexpected, endorsements, when Matty Simpson attended Tender, the party she co-runs, before he entered Big Brother UK last year.
Simpson was particularly taken with her Éire tank top. "He got it for the show and I had no idea until his series aired! PJ Kirby’s fiancé, José Galang, stocks my stuff in Golly Gosh in Dublin, so I’m guessing that’s how PJ found the tank tops."
Many of Megan’s fellow designers have flocked to London for opportunities, but Dublin-based designers are notably supportive of one other.
"We can support everyone’s endeavours," Walsh opines. "I’d love to release a big line of pieces with funding, but that’s not the case. That means my designs have to be smaller and a little bit more accessible, even though I’m a textiles designer. More designers basing themselves here would encourage people to start a fashion house, which the Government could fund."
Speaking of the community around her, Walsh says that "so many Irish people inspire" her, not least textiles creator Jennifer Slattery, with whom Walsh interned. Listening to her list her role models sounds like a round-up of who to watch: Dublin Modular, Tadhg Kinsella, Megan McGuigan of Seeking Judy. Rion Hannon of Rioncarnation, Peter (@peat.eater on Instagram) and Robin Lynch, now a London-based menswear designer who has dressed Rejjie Snow and Fontaines D.C.
"The Irish are supportive of each other as creatives," Walsh opines. "The community here is strong. There is help in Dublin if you’re looking for it. I got a mentor from the Local Enterprise Office, which I recommend doing if you’re starting your own business. They can advise you about sourcing materials as a designer within Ireland and making pieces here. They’re very experienced.
"I’d be grinding too hard for my own good in London, but I would like to stock my work in shops there because they’re my second biggest buyer."
Speaking of how Ireland could further bolster its creative talent, Walsh suggests that "it would be ideal to have more factories here to actually have more Irish-made pieces".
"There used to be loads before the '00s and then they were all shut down. There needs to be more set up with the government’s help. I make nearly everything in my studio but because there's certain things I cannot make in Ireland for specific garments, like my Claddagh scarf.
"I should be able to make the whole product where I’m from."
Check out the Claddagh Collection via www.mnw.ie.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.
