My Textiles Process

Visual Research & Illustration

My detailed, illustrative drawing style is central to my design process. Inspired by nature, I use watercolours and expressive mark-making techniques to build a rich visual language that informs my textiles work. This stage is key to developing the narrative of each collection, allowing me to explore composition, texture, and colour before translating imagery into fashion-focused textile outcome.

Digital Print Design

Irish embroidery is a freehand machine embroidery technique where the needle is controlled manually, allowing for fluid, intricate stitching that feels like drawing with thread. I use this method to embellish my digital prints, adding depth, texture, and a tactile quality to the surface. I also create stand-alone embroidery designs using this technique, layering threads to build up illustrative motifs and textural marks.

This process allows me to work intuitively, blending colour and movement with precision to enhance the visual storytelling within my collections. The handmade quality of Irish embroidery gives each piece a unique and expressive finish, combining traditional skill with a contemporary fashion context.

Irish Embroidery & Finishings

I develop my digital prints by translating hand-drawn and painted imagery into layered compositions using Adobe Photoshop. This process allows me to refine colour, scale, and layout while experimenting with repetition and placement across the fabric. My prints are designed with the final garment in mind, ensuring they work in harmony with the silhouette and material. Once finalised, I print onto high-quality fashion fabrics, combining traditional drawing techniques with modern digital processes to create bold, textural outcomes for a luxury context.

Recent Work

Explore my diverse textile creations and innovative design concepts here.

Examples of work created for my project titled 'The Secret Garden' looking at natural botanical imagery translated into high fashion outcomes for a day-to-night collection.