Claire Garvey

We love covering fashion designers the world over and we would like to introduce to you Claire Garvey – a designer from Ireland.

Garvey came from a very creative family, her mother an artist and father a writer, so it was no wonder that fashion design was her chosen field. She was even determined at the tender age of six, when Claire sent her dresses to Mary Quant for her doll “Daisy”. From then on, she continued to experiment with fashion with clothes and materials, becoming that detailed designer she is today.

She studied Fashion Design at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and went on to achieve her Masters in Textile and Costume Design in Vgik University of Arts, in Moscow, Russia. Soon after she returned to Dublin and began selling her designs at the Irish Design Centre in Dublin and ten years later opened her own shop where she sells her entire exquisite detailed collection, which range from dresses to beaded corsets to coats and skirts.

What makes Garvey’s design philosophy unique is that she believes fashion doesn’t have to be seasonal. Looking to wear velvets in summer? No problem. She offers both lightweight and warmer clothes all year round. So you have a choice! All of her clothes are hand-dyed and hand-beaded. The fabrics she uses are made her own and unique, by intermixing weave and embroidery.

Her homeland of Ireland is used as an inspiration as well as her experiences in Russia. “Ireland is a fast paced, increasing modern and cosmopolitan society. I find my experience in Russian designs has actually blended well into Irish design tastes,” she says.

And, designing on paper. Think again. This designer works with fabric as opposed to sketching. She finds that fabric dictates shape. The reality of creating clothes and designs for real woman that come into her shop has changed her philosophy. Which is why we think her clothes look so beautiful on the body. “Not only should the clothes be beautiful and original but you also need to be comfortable in them, even the tightest of bodices should make the wearer feel fantastic,” she adds. And, we couldn’t agree more.

Be sure to view Claire Garvey’s beautiful and detailed designs here. To contact her please write to clairegarveyshop@hotmail.com.