About Me
Hey I'm Áine a sustainable fashion design graduate from LAU!
I’m a sustainable designer inspired by the sea, drawing a sense of connection and peace from holidays spent swimming there. I mainly use deadstock or second-hand denim and incorporate other forgotten materials to enrich my designs. My work reflects my appreciation for pattern cutting and craftsmanship, resulting in high-quality, durable garments.
My journey began with upcycling old bed sheets and clothes. Throughout my studies, I've been interested in the fast fashion industry's impact, including water waste, microplastics, and consumerism's harm. These issues highlight the need for sustainable, ethical fashion practices like upcycling and using existing materials. This understanding shapes my design approach, prompting me to prioritise sustainability.
INSPIRATION
The fast fashion industry's impact on the sea.
My fish-inspired collection is a response to fast fashion’s impact on the planet, in particular the sea and marine life. My deep connection with the sea, cultivated through peaceful holidays spent swimming there, inspired my work. The conflict between marine life and plastic, which initially captured my interest, has evolved into a new relationship where they can coexist harmoniously—a testament to the transformative power of sustainable fashion.
My journey began with upcycling old bed sheets and clothes. Throughout my studies, I've been interested in the fast fashion industry's impact, including water waste, microplastics, and consumerism's harm. These issues highlight the need for sustainable, ethical fashion practices like upcycling and using existing materials. This understanding shapes my design approach, prompting me to prioritise sustainability.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
DETAIL
Upycling deadstock and second hand materials.
I am particular about my process, favouring meticulous techniques over ones against the planet. My work promotes the art of slow fashion, highlighting the unique result of dedicating time to elevate the basic starting fabric. Extra time is taken to ensure the quality of the garments is high, to guarantee longevity, promoting the need to extend the lifecycle of a garment. Incorporating textile manipulation was a key aspect to include, to elevate the designs and uniquely use discarded materials. Using the plastic in an environmentally positive way and upcycling it made it feel like they were working in harmony together. I tried out different fabric manipulation techniques to replicate the texture of fish scales, like recycling old plastic water bottles, cutting out scale shapes and hand sewing onto the garment using second-hand fishing line and creating ruffles using plastic bags the fabric was delivered to the university. I enjoyed finding different solutions to structuring my garments, such as inserting p
"Sustainable fashion is not a trend, it's a responsibility." - Livia Firth
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