How and when did you set up the label?<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s been going for nearly three years now. I kind of set it up by accident off the back of my masters graduate show, and then I\u2019ve been developing it since. It’s been quite a slow organic process, getting used to the idea of being an artist and selling clothes. It still feels like early days; I\u2019ve learnt so much since graduating. When you\u2019re at uni you\u2019re in a bit of a bubble.<\/p>\n
Why knitwear?<\/strong><\/p>\nI come from a textile background, before doing my masters I always specialised in textiles and I\u2019ve always had a real love of different textures and fabrics and pushing them. I ended up specialising in knitwear – it wasn\u2019t planned, I didn\u2019t watch my grandma knitting and choose knitwear! It just kind of happened. It was something I experimented with and found you could do a lot with. I think for me, I wasn\u2019t really following the techniques but seeing what else I could do. It\u2019s about pushing the boundaries of your own designs. The knit part is the initial process and then I see how I can push it with my weaving techniques and the cording and embellishment once it\u2019s off the machine.<\/p>\n
How is knitwear changing?<\/strong><\/p>\nAt one point, knitwear was something that was part of a collection, you had your twinsets and your v-necks and whatever, but now there\u2019s whole knitwear collections and you don\u2019t even notice. I think it’s great that it\u2019s gotten more modern. Its not just autumn\/winter and Christmas jumpers anymore, it can be spring\/summer or even swimwear. It\u2019s becoming more recognisable. I do look back at old style knit patterns I was given by my Irish aunties for their Arran jumpers; it’s great to look back and see the tradition and techniques, but for me it’s about newness.<\/p>\n
What techniques are you currently using?<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019m recognized for the wax cord, the original technique I came up with. That\u2019s what my graduate collection and the two after that worked with. I took a break from it and did a collection with Jayne Pierson. I\u2019d like to reintroduce the cord work in different ways, I left it for two seasons so it\u2019ll be exciting to bring elements of it back.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the inspiration behind the current collection?<\/strong><\/p>\nThis collection is based on Nomadic imagery. I\u2019m interested in the merging and clashing of colours. That\u2019s led me to look at more patterns and I\u2019ve really been pushing colour this season. I\u2019m known to be more monochrome so I\u2019m really experimenting with it. <\/p>\n
It seems like you have quite an experimental take on fashion?<\/strong><\/p>\nI couldn\u2019t do it any other way. I\u2019m very experimental. It\u2019s easy to follow a trend but to me I\u2019m always pushing and looking for something new. I\u2019m always thinking of the fabric first before I even think about the silhouette. I couldn\u2019t do a bog standard plain knit. I think I\u2019d get bored.<\/p>\n
What are your plans for the future?<\/strong><\/p>\nA lingerie company has approached me. They produce lingerie to wear with all types of garments. In the collaboration, “Derek lawlor for Nicole de Carle”, I\u2019ll be designing a range of knitwear among the lingerie collection; it\u2019ll be interesting to see how it works out. <\/p>\n
Words: Shannon Mahanty<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"You\u2019d be forgiven for not noticing that Derek Lawlor works purely in the realm of knitwear – so innovative and sculptured are his designs. As part of a new burgeoning team of designers, his pieces challenge and redefine the boundaries of knitwear design. Lawlor created his own unique style of wax cording, which he returns […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9418],"tags":[1620,35,2358,1316,2359,559,50,1633,1078],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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