'Bogadh na nDealbh' My graduation collection is inspired by the moving statue phenomenon that captivated Ireland in the 1980s, where numerous reports emerged of statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary appearing to move. I sought to create a collection that both referenced the traditional iconography of Mary while reimagining it in a fresh and contemporary way, resulting in garments that captured the essence of movement, faith, and the divine in unexpected forms. The design began by studying various representations of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how her figure has been interpreted across different cultures. My main source of inspiration came from my hand-painted ink drawings of statues of the Blessed Virgin. I then experimented with collaging these ink drawings onto the body, transforming them into garments. This led me to use digital tools like CLO3D and Gerber to draft patterns and create my first toiles digitally, which allowed me to visualize the designs on the body before committing to making physical toiles. This process was particularly beneficial for me, as I sometimes find it difficult to visualize how a pattern will sit on the body. By working digitally, I minimized the need for physical toiles, resulting in only 5 toiles for the entire collection. The original colour palette for my collection was inspired by contemporary Irish art, featuring bold pinks and greens. However, as I sourced fabrics, the colour story shifted towards a range of blues, whites, and purples, aligning more closely my inspiration for the collection. I used a mix of unconventional materials such as leatherette, PVC, and sequins, along with more traditional fabrics like cotton and lace. This combination allowed me to experiment with textures and surfaces that are not typically associated with Mary, creating a striking contrast between the sacred and the modern. Additionally, I hand-dyed the sequin fabric in blue, adding my personal touch and enhancing the collection’s visuals.
