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Menswear
MEET ROBYN LYNCH
Introducing Robyn Lynch a homegrown talent who takes her inspiration from the RTÉ archive, our graphic heritage and native materials. Discover how she got her own label off the ground, her move to London and her unapologetically cool Autumn Winter collection below…
Robyn Lynch in her London studio and her season mood-board with images from the RTÉ archive.
Not many Irish designers make it to the pages of Vogue and the catwalks of Paris but 28-year-old Dubliner Robyn Lynch has truly raised the bar in menswear. Her cycling inspired Spring Summer 2021 virtual show caused quite a stir at London Fashion Week this September, championing classic Irish logos and cool contemporary cut.
It all started with a seemingly unlucky class placement during her undergraduate in NCAD. Robyn explains “I didn’t get Fashion which was my first choice, so I went on to study Printed Textiles for three years,” she continues, “I wouldn’t change anything about my path. My dyeing, printing and photoshop skills are invaluable!” This time devoted to print has surely paid off with collection after collection of highly skilled yet completely contemporary prints that are extremely refreshing to behold and wear.
The Intarsia Logo Sweater and Aertel Logo Scarf from Robyn Lynch’s Autumn Winter collection.
From here she went on to do a Masters in Menswear at the University of Westminster. No mean feat for Robyn who had no idea how to sew when she joined and “was in class with people who had been sewing for years. I kind of had to wing it!”
It’s here her fascination with her own heritage took shape. Robyn adds “each person brought their culture to their designs from all over the world, I was the only Irish person on the course so it felt right to look into Irish raw materials and fabric. I also love the RTÉ archives, it’s gold for inspiration.”
The Double Waistband Track Bottoms and Intarsia Logo Sweater Robyn Lynch’s Autumn Winter collection.
When asked if she’d ever leave London and bring her talents home Robyn replies “The talent is here in Ireland for a real fashion hub, it just needs the proper infrastructure behind it in my opinion.” On her move to London Robyn adds “It’s really beneficial if you can afford it. I started off working from my house in Ireland for my first two Fashion East shows and it was a bit of a struggle. The lady who makes my sisters Irish dancing dresses was making my show samples. Everything is just a bit more accessible over here like machinists and sampling units.”
In saying that some of the highlights of her career have been here in Dublin including launching in Brown Thomas. Robyn adds “its a milestone for any Irish designer I think, especially on the menswear floor. I’m delighted to be flying the flag!”
Robyns collection is available to shop online, follow the link below to discover her latest collection.
FLY THE FLAG
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