Irish Design Spotlight: The Tweed Project

Tell us about you and your brand
A: The Tweed Project works with our indigenous fabrics – tweed linen and Aran – in a contemporary and playful way.

What is your mission?
A: To make timeless pieces that last a lifetime.
T: Our mission has always been to promote Irish fabric, woven in Ireland in contemporary designs that the world will want to wear.

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?
A: ALWAYS
T: I’ve been making clothes since I was a child. My sister Carol started fashion school when I was eight so I lived in her world as a child full of fashion books, imagery and fabrics. My grandmothers were both seamstresses and our mother knit, made and embroidered all my Irish dancing costumes. My father was a cabinet maker and had a workshop at home. There was a lot of creativity around me and I absorbed it like a sponge. I didn’t know I would end up as a designer, but I was obsessed with creating from a very young age.

What kind of items do you stock?
A: Everything from scarves to bomber jackets to bustiers to Aran island hand knits to flowy dresses.
T: We make clothing, accessories and homeware. Our designs are simple cuts – our key pieces are a tailored trouser, a simple oversized shirt, and a blanket coat. We haven’t changed our patterns in the 10 years just the fabrics. We created the original patterns for blanket pieces knowing we could not have any waste so all of the fabric is used up. That has always been our approach to our designs.

What new brands or items are on your radar?
A: Anyone who is environmentally and politically conscious who is producing small quantities with integrity does it for me… oh and great design – simple and functional.
T: I love fashion. I am and have always been an avid follower. I follow all our Irish homegrown talent. I love watching brands in Ireland who use linens and tweeds. I also follow brands that use slow fashion methods, have sustainability at the forefront of their designs and find clever ways to use dead stock or upcycled fabric.

Was money/funding a concern when starting out?
A: Always but when you have a dream you must keep going.
T: Because we are a made-to-measure brand, we didn’t have a huge out-lay financially when we were starting out. We created a five-piece collection in 2014, got orders, made more and that is how it’s been since. We make everything in-house, so our production is tight. If you don’t create money problems you won’t have any.

Best business advice you’ve gotten
A: I don’t remember any lol!
T: Have one key piece that brings in a steady cash flow that doesn’t cost a lot to produce . Still working on that!

Favourite fashion/design accounts you follow
A: Vogue Japan.
T: Margaret Howell, Wright & Doyle, Cliodhna Prendergast and Doreen Kilfeather.

Best fashion purchase
A: I’m very conscious about what I purchase so I really consider every piece for a long time. My purchases are based on natural fabrics and durability.
T: A Simone Rocha dress.

Other Irish brands you love
A: I admire anyone out there who takes the time to knit in the Aran tradition and who takes the time to preserve and conserve that beautiful craft.
T: Natalie B Coleman and Colin Burke – I love his Inis Meain knitwear.

Most useful learning since setting up a business
A: Slowly, slowly build it up. Slowly do everything very well, take the time and each piece is the building block for the business’s future.
T: Don’t sweat the small stuff, Aoibheann taught me that.

Proudest moment so far
A: Every time a customer comes back for another piece is very special.
T: There have been so many, but selling our first piece in 2014 on Inis Oirr when we launched the first collection is a standout.

I want my brand to be remembered for…
A: Timeless simplicity and integrity to the tradition of modern Irish fabrics and hand knits.
T: Pieces that last a lifetime.

If I could have anyone wear my designs it would be…
Both: well that’s a no-brainer – Tilda Swinton all the way!

Photography by Doreen Kilfeather