Claire O Connor worn by Grainne Seoige in Life magazine

Heroines: Claire O’Connor, Ireland’s brightest rising star in demi-couture

Sunday Nov 21 2010

'Years ago, I met Ben de Lisi at a Design Centre show and asked him if had he any advice for young designers. He said, 'Don't do it! It's too hard. If I had my life over, I wouldn't do it'." Chuckling self-deprecatingly, Claire O'Connor, Ireland's brightest, rising star in demi-couture -- clothing which is approaching couture standard -- finishes, "Obviously, I didn't listen to him."

I first met Claire several years ago, after she had graduated from the Grafton Academy -- where she is now a guest lecturer -- and while she was working at Jen Kelly's atelier.

But Claire soon launched her own label. She set out creating bold, music-influenced, street garb, in the way Vivienne Westwood started out by designing for the Sex Pistols, and as Tommy Hilfiger did for America's hugely successful black artists. But the Irish market was not big enough to sustain such edgy fashion.

However, some discerning fashion mavens recognised Claire's talent, and she soon found herself busy with commissions for luxurious, "elegant, with a twist" couture pieces, which she found she adored creating.

"I love having something that no one else has. I like uniqueness. I love beauty," Claire explains. "In fashion, I love cloth and I love clothes. I love that personality shows through clothing. Fashion is one of those things people can't live without. It helps them through their day, or on their big day. In making clothes, you are making people happy."

It is this open-hearted expression that makes Claire a delight to work with. She is lit up by the love of creating, and seeing the magical transformation. "Fashion is about people," she says. "It is about the person; reflecting their individuality."

Claire is a petites mains -- the much-honoured title of haute couture's esteemed seamstresses -- a skill she combines with a courageous design heart, as evidenced by our dramatic shoot today. "I was inspired by medieval times and goddess mythology: a woman heroine. I tried to work that into the fabrics. One of the laces I used has a metallic coating, and I've done a lot of hand-beading to reflect light, using glass instead of sequins," she says.

In the last three seasons I've seen Claire's work leap in confidence. Her skill was never in question. Like McQueen, she's the type who picks up fabric and scissors and -- hey presto, you have a divine creation.

"The main reason I keep doing it is I see it on people and it and they come alive," Claire explains. "It is not like fine art that you stick on a wall and there it is. Fashion is art coming to life."

All clothes featured are by Claire O’Connor. For made-to-order enquiries, tel: (086) 894-3309, or email info@claireoconnor.ie, or see www.claireoconnor.ie

Claire O’Connor stockists: Havana, Anglesea House, Donnybrook, D4, tel: (01) 260-2707, or see www.lhavanaboutique.ie

Diffusion, 47 Clontarf Road, Clontarf, D3, tel: (01) 833-1592, or see www.diffusion.ie

Design Centre, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, 59 Sth William St, D2, tel: (01) 679-5718, or see www.designcentre.ie

Jewellery stockists: Noel Finan Fine Cut Diamonds, Galway (specialist dealer), tel: (091) 842-446, email finecutdiamonds@gmail.com, or see www.finecutdiamonds.ie

Barry Doyle Design Jewellers, Upstairs, 30 George’s St Arcade, D2, tel: (01) 671-2838, see www.barrydoyledesign.com

Photography by Angela Halpin at Jang Productions, tel: (086) 870-5340, or see www.jangproductions.net or email jangstudio@gmail.com

Produced by Jason Foran at Jang Productions Styled by Claire O’Connor Make-up by Nadia Macari, see

www.nadiamacari.com

Hair by Sabrina Bermingham at Foundation, see www.foundationhair.com

Model: Kate Sheridan at

Compton Model Agency, see www.compton.ie

Special effects by Team FX, see www.teamfx.ie

Electrical Crew: Dermot Coleman,

Mark Lawless, and Ian Kearney, see www.cine-electric.ie

Shot on location in Co Wicklow

Sunday Independent

Claire O'Connor Couture trailer

0:51

"Life" Magazine Sunday 21st November 2010 (HD)

Autumn / Winter "Couture" 2010 Collection by Claire O Connor Jang Productions:Jason Foran & Angela Halpin Model: Kate Sheridan Make up :Nadia...

by JangStudio | 1 week ago | 208 views

6 page editorial for Sunday Independent Life Magazine

 

16-08-09

It's been my experience that most young designers are somewhat premature in launching themselves onto the marketplace. But not Claire O'Connor.

She set high standards for herself, working for several years with highly respected designers to learn her craft. Consequently, she is more than ready to take her place in the ranks of exclusive designers, as the Claire O'Connor collection joins Philip Treacy, Preen and Jasmine di Milo in The Design Centre.

Claire is what Pauric Sweeney would call a demi-couturier. That means her garments are not entirely hand-sewn, but most are hand-done one-offs, with a labour-intensive detail. Claire is an originator, creating unique clothing. Her style stamp is a cross between Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix, featuring sophisticated tailoring, body-con fit, sex appeal, urban savvy, eclecticism and visual interest.

"My passions are hip-hop music and high-end fashion, so in my work I am diffusing the two," Claire, who has two labels, explains. "My style is classic, with a bit of an edge. I do get a lot of inspiration from the Paris couturiers. I love exceptional tailoring and finish. But I also love challenging the 'normal'."

Claire's playful attitude masks her superior competence and cutting ability. Her creations range from funky streetwear to sophisticated occasionwear, the latter featuring sumptuous cocktail dresses and evening coats with drop-dead fit and hand-embellished work. She is obsessive about fit and finish.

"After graduating from the Grafton Academy, I worked for Marc O'Neill. He had an unusual eye for design and was obsessive about cut -- I learnt a huge amount," she says. "I then worked for Jen Kelly, haute couturier. There I learned the importance of attention to detail and finish. But," she adds, "I can never resist playing. It has to have a twist to keep it interesting."

Claire set up her own label five years ago and she got a lot of bridal and occasionwear commissions. But when she started doing a ready-to-wear range of jersey pieces for Designer Knitwear Direct in Dalkey, she won a new fanbase. Her willingness to work with customers' needs, creating individual patterns for women up to size 22, has won her devoted loyalty. One fan describes Claire as "a little miracle worker".

Her collection for The Design Centre comprises 12 dress styles, which can be bought ready-to-wear or ordered to fit. There are also some stunning jackets and coats with unique detailing. And this is just the beginning. Expect great things.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA HALPIN 

FASHION EDITED BY CONSTANCE HARRIS

STYLED BY CLAIRE O'CONNOR