Dress from Gina Tricot, Stockholm.

Urban Outfitters dress, cardigan from Topshop and shoes from Primark

“Work” by Michael Rianda

Playsuit from H&M, shoes from Primark and M&S cardigan

Thanks Daddy and Happy Father’s Day!

Rebecca Flanagan is one of Ireland’s most successful up and coming fashion designers. With a line in River Island and many other awards under her belt, she is soon to become a household name. She took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions and show us some of her amazing collection.

Can you give a background to yourself?

I studied Fashion Design at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. During my graduate year I was nominated for several fashion design awards and competitions. I was a finalist for the Persil Irish Fashion Awards in 2009 and later that year I went on to win the River Island Graduate Bursary award.

Companies which I have worked for include the high street giant River Island, contemporary Irish fashion designer Joanne Hynes and the Irish Quinn and Donnelly label. I also had work experience with Katherine E Hamnett in London.

As a freelance stylist and I have collaborated with many established musicians, talented photographers, hair stylists and make-up artists. I am also the fashion consultant for the Dublin based company Kamalifestyles, whom I have also written articles for relating to style, image and the psychology of attraction.

Describe the overall aesthetic of your designs.

Attention to detail, luxury and experimental material is the overall aesthetic of my creations. “Resin” is the title of my graduate degree collection. It embodies a grungy style, met with luxurious, feminine and delicate undertones. My visual research explored imagery of light on black textures, inspiring the idea of playing with contrasts. Reflection and absorption of light is created in textured and treated surfaces of black; a dominant shade throughout the collection. Garments of soft and sensual textures are paired with hard-wear embellishment and a myriad of blacks creating a rich and layered look.

What about your fashion/design background? How did you come to establish yourself?

After Graduating from Fashion Design at the NCAD I received extensive media coverage from the graduate fashion show, the NCAD graduate exhibition, the Persil design awards and especially when I won the River Island Graduate Bursary Award. Being a graduate of such a renowned college and having success with such prestigious design awards really launched me into the Industry and helped me build contacts and gain the necessary experience I needed. After my contract with River Island I was approached and commissioned by many creatives in Ireland as a stylist and a fashion consultant.

The collection covers everything from clothes to accessories. Which do you prefer to make and why?

I am a clothing designer who has recently experimented with accessories. I design one around the other so that the design doesn’t take way from the each other. When I am designing accessories, the piece itself is the statement and I design a garment to mount it on. Similarly when I am designing couture pieces I only design a jewellery piece to complement the garment.

You recently had some experience with River Island, can you tell us about it?

In River Island I designed products and garments in the Ladies Design and Accessories Department in the areas of blouses, lingerie, loungewear, jewellery, bags, scarves, hats, shoes and belts. My graduate portfolio showed strong potential for design in the area of Top Store luxury lingerie. Along with meeting project deadlines from different departments within River Island, I had the opportunity to develop my own collection of lingerie and loungewear, which was proposed to the head of design for production approval. Being part of such a huge company with many different departments I had to learn quickly how to produce specification and dimension packs for suppliers. I worked closely with many of the designers constructing samples for suppliers and press. I also worked with a team on trend research and development. I created both hand drawn and digital prints and I excelled in embellishment, producing new embellishment designs.

Has it helped your success?

Absolutely, It taught me everything I needed to know for starting in the industry and professional practice. There I learnt how to do print design which is what I am currently working in now for Joanne Hynes.

What celebrity would you like to design for and why?

I would design a garment for Debbie Harry, she is so quirky, beautiful and she will be remembered as being the ultimate rock chick Icon!

Rebecca can be contacted at mail@rebeccaflanagan.com.

Photgraphy: David Frain
Makeup: Daria Czajka except image x by Melissa Curren
Styling/Clothes: Rebecca Flanagan
Hair: Anna Curran
Model: Grace
Model: Didi

H&M skirt, top from River Island and shoes from Primark

Also, if you look to the right of my blog header you will see a new button labelled “Archive” where you can click to gain easy access to any of my older posts. A big thanks to Martin who has been the genius behind this. Only three days until my big adventure! I’m getting excited now.