Irish Design Spotlight: Stevie Blake

Tell us about you and your brand
My name is Stevie Blake. I’m a designer from Maryborough and I make clothes. I have just opened up a studio called Monto & Perri based in Temple Bar where we cover bespoke suiting, collaborative pieces and alterations.

What is your mission?
I guess my mission with Monto & Perri is to create a hub for a community that enjoys a lot of the same things that I do. Within the walls I get to create things for both myself and others that may not have been accessible beforehand.

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?
Absolutely not. Don’t get me wrong, I have always been interested in a creative world and a job within that was always my goal, but making clothes was never on my radar until I hit my mid-20s. Beforehand I studied and dropped out of graphic design, and having worked in hospitality for years, I had originally planned to open a restaurant until early 2020 came along.

What kind of items do you stock?
As things stand, we’re a bespoke tailors working on personal projects and one-off pieces, however, I’m currently curating a small line of made to measure to be released as a reorder option shortly. In the l future, we’ll be stocking some perfected basics and single-release pieces and accessories.

What new brands or items are on your radar?
In Ireland, brands-wise I’m looking at Conor O’Brien, a designer who creates incredible silhouettes in knitwear; Abode General Store, a primarily menswear showroom run by Jamie Mann; and Josh Reynolds is one of the most talented jewellers I’ve met. At such a loss of its creative fabricators over the last decade, Dublin is still fuelled by some of Ireland’s most talented.

Was money/funding a concern when starting out?
“We started off with nothing, and we still have most of it left.”

Best business advice you’ve gotten
I’ve been given fantastic business advice I’m sure, but I haven’t taken account of it yet. I think in order to start something new, you need to be in a position to take a leap – a non-financially-focused leap. Believing in what I’m capable of has been my drive from the start. I wasn’t competitive until I went up against what I’d already achieved; I carry that through each and every project.

Favourite fashion/design accounts you follow
Feel free to check who I follow on Instagram, there’s something there for most but it’s mostly clothes, architecture, and other design.

Best fashion purchase
A Bernina sewing machine, EWB western boots and every ring I’ve ever bought and lost.

Other Irish brands you love
Beggarsrun is an Irish run tailors in Shoreditch. Brotherwolf is an Australian-based, Irish-owned company I really admire. Siobhán O’Sullivan is another incredible jewellery designer. Acky Fakhry creates furniture I dream to sit on or stand beside. Twiggy Moore is making huge multicoloured waves in New York.

Most useful learning since setting up a business
Invest in the aesthetics; in all sense of what that means to you.

Proudest moment so far
Writing answers to this interview is pretty big for me; it’s a privilege and I’m very grateful to be a part of the conversation.

I want my brand to be remembered for… the silly little logo and everything that represents.

If I could have anyone wear my designs it would be… I design for myself and I make for my clients. It’s a dream to do both and anything past that is a privilege. I will make anything you want; within reason.