Institution
Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD)
Medium
Fashion
Graduation Year
Class of 2025
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(Directions) Ireland is woven into the fabric of who I am, and this collection is a love letter to the place that shaped me. Drawing from the deep well of personal nostalgia, I have reimagined the textures, colours, and everyday moments of my childhood in Ireland, blending them with a bold, modern perspective. This collection celebrates the warmth of home those small, familiar things that only an Irish person would truly recognise. Paying homage to the uniquely Irish brands and sayings that have stood the test of time, my designs incorporate subtle nods to household names that filled my childhood, from the unmistakable charm of a well-worn Aran knit to the vibrant packaging of a Tayto's crisp package. I wanted to capture that sense of belonging-like stepping into your granny's house, where the smell of Barry's tea lingers and the sound of Fair City plays in the background. PURE NOTIONS Bailey Ryan Casey While rooted in nostalgia, this collection is anything but traditional. I have taken the warmth of memory and clashed it with the energy of the present-bright, vibrant colours replace muted tones, and textured fabrics add quirky characteristic style that makes each piece feel alive. Familiar silhouettes such as long dresses and GAA jerseys and shorts are reworked with unexpected twists, such as scaling up Guinness pint glasses and using unconventional pattern drafting, like taking the shapes from sliothors and common household miscellaneous to form large curves and accentuated necklines. echoing the way the past and present coexist in Ireland today.A key element of this collection is the fusion of traditional shapes with contemporary fabric choices. Rich, structured Duchess satin adds a sense of luxury and refinement, while real leather brings an edge of raw authenticity. Crisp cotton offers a nod to the everyday, grounding the collection in familiarity, while high-shine PVC introduces a bold, modern energy. The juxtaposition of these materials allows the pieces to feel both nostalgic and contemporary, honouring the past while pushing toward something fresh and unexpected. This collection is my way of telling a story, one that every Irish person will recognize, yet one that feels fresh, exciting, and undeniably contemporary. It is a celebration of identity, memory, and the ever-evolving nature of Irish culture.
