Mary Grant 2009

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On The Job (THE FASHIONS) Think of work inspired fashion and the words ‘pin-stripe’ and ‘ tailored suit’ spring to mind. Fortunately for Irish fashion, Mary Grant doesn’t think (or design) like any one else. It’s the purposeful utility clothes of good old fashion manual grafters, and not the office uniform of modern commerce that fires Mary’s imagination. Bibs, overalls, aprons, pinafores and dungarees….all the now famous signature of Mary Grants collections. The new working wardrobe of fashion. But have no illusions. Plumbers and plasterers do not wear Mary Grants clothes. Heavy-duty cotton gives way to luxurious silks and linen. Rough to soft. Layered pinnies fall loosely over the silhouette creating an effortlessly chic and up market ladies wear collection, which are all designed, and hand made in Ireland. A look all of its own. A look, which is very definitely Mary Grant. The Customer Really is Right (THE INSPIRATION) Perhaps one of the reasons that women are so passionate about Mary’s clothes is that Mary herself is so passionate about what she does. Mary Grant who is a member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland, trained at the Barbara Bourke College of Fashion in Dublin for two years, where she was named as ‘Designer of the Year’ at the graduation show. She immediately went into business for herself. Mary likens her success to the story of the elf and the shoemaker. “I made one dress” she explains “ sold it, and had enough money to make two. When I sold those I had enough for four…” Nine years later, Mary who was voted Designer of the Year by the Institute of Designers in Ireland in 1999, and whose collections sell in the most up-market fashion outlets nationwide as well as are exported to the UK, Canada and Greece, has experienced phenomenon success. In 1996 Mary shot to fashion fame, when she designed a Eurovision dress for singer Eimear Quinn. The Dress for ‘The Voice’ generated an army of admirers here and in Oslo, and the cream silk chiffon creation earned Eimear the best-dressed award in two Danish and two Norwegian papers. However, despite this heavy fashion background, Mary Grant would not describe herself as being into high fashion. “I am always aware of trends,” explains Mary “ but I don’t let them distract me when I am designing” “The customer is my biggest influence. It is their comments and reactions that will spark off an idea. I don’t sketch my ideas. My collections are based on direct feedback from the women buying the clothes” Mary Grant women are confident about themselves and they know who they are. Mary Grants designs are a recognisable part of this identity. For anyone interested in having Mary Grant herself help put their look together with a designer’s flair, Mary Grant takes private bookings at her Studio in Athgarvan, Co.Klidare, From 2002, Mary Grant now also offers exclusively at The Studio a Bridal Room service- personally designed bridal wear by Mary Grant, aimed specifically at those brides who do not want typical wedding dresses. Also new is Mary Grant Child (Made to order children’s versions of the current Mary Grant collection). "Cinnamon Knitwear" & in 1991 launched her own "Molly Lamb" label. Three time finalist in the Designer of the Year Fashion Awards, winner of two Royal Dublin Society Craft Awards & 1998 winner of the R.D.S. William Smith O'Brien Perpetual Challenge Cup, her knitwear often has strong elements of embroidery & great interest in attention to detail. Most of the collections will be timeless, in classic colours that never go out of fashion (after all each piece is an investment & numbers strictly limited). Many pieces are once off, Some are pure fantasy.  "If I was to define myself I would say I'm a graphic & textile artist that also designs knitwear. I try to always keep my pieces practical but have a strong urge to push the borders of knitwear design. I am constantly inspired by the innovative styles of designers like Gautier, McQueen or Clements Ribeiro. People in choosing their clothes reflect their individuality. Even if someone orders from existing designs, I irresistibly want to change or add something that suits their personality & hopefully delight it's owner for many years.) As well as designing knitwear under her "Molly Lamb" label Mary also produces once off pieces of mixed media textile art. Theme's for her work are often "nature" based - the structure of plants & sea life - the patterns of the natural world. But also the hidden worlds of myth dreams & legend "Ireland steeped in mystery hints ay secrets older than time".