Page 29 - Our Wexford

and Riccardo Tisci, so it’s crazy
to present your first collection to
major international press in this
context. Following this I won the
Deutsche Bank Award for Fashion,
which Christopher Kane previously
won after his MA, so again I feel
very lucky.

“It’s allowed me creative freedom;
I’ve turned down four major job
offers in Paris to establish my own
brand, which is going really well
now.”
Malone’s intention as a designer
is to change the fashion industry.
He shoots his with “real women,
intelligent and inspiring young
women. A portrait I took of my
82-year-old grandmother was even
on my show invite this season. I
want to involve real people who
are where I’m from; it should be
accessible for everyone.”

On visiting and working in
Ireland, Richard says that he loves
to come home. “I actually have
a studio in Wexford where the
collections are made and where
we do private orders and made-to-
measure pieces. It’s so refreshing
being back here and away from the
fashion cycle, I’m really not that
fashion-y at all. The studio is a
converted shed, and it really is just
that. I can be totally creative and
there is no one nearby to disagree
with it, its great.
“My intention is to keep the studio
here and keep the products made
Speaking about his plans for the a design competition with Louis in Ireland, I’m actually crossing my
future, Richard says, “I think one Vuitton while I was in second fingers that I can get a grant from
of the main reasons I’m a designer year, and was offered a contract the council to expand the business,
is because I see so many problems to go and work there immediately they seem really supportive so far.
with fashion, so in a way I see it afterwards. So I was 22 and living It would be great to have a really
as a way of resolving those. To be in Paris working for the biggest directional and artisanal label
honest the ‘industry’ isn’t really an fashion house in the world, it was coming out of Wexford, and why
interest of mine, nor is anything crazy. This is within four years of not? My long-term goal is to start
to do with celebrity, I’m far more doing my leaving cert in St Peters taking on local staff, up-skilling
interested in people. in Wexford. ABOVE:
local communities and providing Spring Summer
“I didn’t move to London to “I was then shortlisted for the creative employment right here, 2017 collection by
become a ‘London’ designer, and I LVMH which was insane, as they with a really enjoyable atmosphere Richard Malone
feel really lucky that I was accepted own all the major companies – for everyone.
to Central Saint Martins without Vuitton, Celine, Fendi, Dior, you “The best thing about coming
a foundation, as it never happens. name it! I eventually won, which to Wexford is seeing family and
I worked incredibly hard, from meant they would fund my entire friends. Also the food in Wexford
8.30am - 10.30pm every single final year. Then I was selected is particularly brilliant, I’ve lived
day in the studio. I feel very lucky to open the BA Fashion press in Paris and London and honestly
because these massive companies show, which is a major honour; Irish hospitality and cooking is
really responded to my point of previous graduates are people many, many steps above both.”
view and my work ethic. I won like John Galliano, Phoebe Philo

OUR CRAFT 29