Hot on the heels of his graduate show two years ago, Colin Burke burst into Brown Thomas CREATE with splashed silage coats and crocheted daffodils.
The principal takeaway? Since day one, his label has shown zero signs of shrinking-violet tendencies.
Whilst experimenting with digital print to striking effect, his innovative strides into once-traditional territory – Aran knit and crochet techniques – are especially compelling to see. Far removed from the fisherman sweaters of yore (their charming attributes aside), Burke’s fusing of nostalgic Ireland and opulent materiality, from luxurious wools to silken trims, is seamless; two seemingly opposing elements which, in less capable hands, wouldn’t sit quite so well.
A key part of Burke’s indelible presence is just how personally-rooted his design references are. His late grandmother, a fellow enthusiast of cut and cloth, has been a recurrent protagonist in Burke’s creative process, and her influence will re-emerge in ‘1932’: an upcoming collection primed to launch at the 10th Irish Fashion Innovation Awards on March 14, for which Burke is a nominee.
Add another unveiling at the ARC Fashion Show later this month, and this crochet connoisseur has his hands (and needles) full. @colinburke_
