A STITCH IN TIME

Emerging fashion talent is always a brilliant source of artistic inspiration, so it makes utter sense for the team at Cyril Morgan Hair to consistently collaborate with final-year design students from the Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD), incorporating their designs into a variety of collections. As Creative HEAD exclusively shares ‘Wickham’, Cyril Morgan unveils the genesis of the partnership, and how it’s helped fuel the salon’s creative process.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMIE MOORE

Talk us through how the young designers work with the salon’s stylists…

“This ongoing partnership with LSAD has been instrumental in integrating fresh perspectives into our collections. Our team visited the students’ studio, where we invited them to showcase their pieces. From there, we carefully selected seven designers whose work aligned with our vision for the collections. Once we selected the pieces, our creative process began by building hair looks that complemented these designs. We invited all the selected students to the shoot, giving them the opportunity to style their pieces on set. This hands-on experience was invaluable for them, as they actively participated in the creative process and witnessed their work come to life in a professional setting.”

You collaborate each year – how is it mutually beneficial?

“The partnership allows us to collaborate with emerging local talent, bringing in unique and innovative pieces that aren’t typically available on the high street. This adds depth and a uniqueness to our collections, enhancing our creative offerings. For the designers, it’s a significant opportunity to showcase their work on a larger platform. Many of them experience their first professional shoot, gaining access to high-quality images for their portfolios. This exposure is crucial as they seek to secure placements and career opportunities post-graduation.”

How did you ensure everything aligned?

“The creative discussions were dynamic and iterative. Our primary focus was ensuring that the hair, being central to the collection, remained the focal point without being overshadowed by the avant-garde clothing. We carefully curated each look to enhance the overall aesthetic. On the shoot, there was some flexibility; we adjusted and swapped outfits among models to achieve the best synergy. The designers’ presence was invaluable – they collaborated, combined pieces, and pushed the creative boundaries further, ensuring a cohesive and impactful final look.”

How did the shoot push your creativity?

“These collections represented our most ambitious project to date, significantly pushing our creative boundaries. ‘Wickham’ explored the technique of hair webbing and aimed to create wearable art ready for the runway. Our junior stylist, Emily Dunne, stepped into the role of creative director. Emily’s experience on TV sets and her passion for fantasy hair brought a fresh, innovative element to our work. Many team members hadn’t worked on avant-garde hair before, so this allowed us to explore new creative territories and develop their skills. By pushing their creative limits and exploring diverse themes and styles, it elevates our work, showcasing the versatility and depth of our creative team.”

CREATIVE DIRECTION Emily Dunne. STYLE DIRECTION Phil Downey. HAIR STYLING Megan O’Keeffe, Aaron Lim, Emily Dunne. ASSISTED BY Ava Carew, Grace Culhane. MAKE-UP Blaithin Griffin.

VIDEOGRAPHYWojciech Kwiatkowski. PRODUCTION Leah Morgan. MODELS FloraWang, Elizabeth Poliakova, Jules Butler.

DESIGNERS Faye Clague, Lara Barrett. STYLING Cyril MorganTeam. LOCATIONWickhamWay.