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Irish Designer Michael Stewart Makes Waves at Paris Couture Week
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In Short: Michael Stewart, founder of Standing Ground, made a splash at Paris Couture Week, drawing comparisons to legendary designers and winning over local critics.
Michael Stewart, the founder and creative director of Standing Ground, has made a significant impact in the fashion world after winning the inaugural Savoir-Faire Prize at the 2024 LVMH Prize for Young Designers. His debut in Paris, the home of haute couture, was highly anticipated.
Stewart, who expressed feeling welcomed by Paris, had to make tough decisions to fill 150 seats for his show. His collection, which highlighted the dying craft of Ireland, was a nod to his heritage and a testament to his technical mastery.
At Paris Couture Week, Stewart's sculptural use of draping and technical skills drew comparisons to Azzedine Alaïa, positioning him as a talent to watch. His success has seen Standing Ground grow, crafting custom outfits for celebrities like Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Tilda Swinton, and Florence Pugh.
Reflecting on his achievement, Stewart said, 'Having this audience and the stamp of haute couture, which I would never have dared say before now, is really special and it means a lot to me, because it’s what I’ve been working toward.
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- Now the Irish designer was preparing for a David versus Goliath challenge in the home of haute couture — and local critics were there for it.
- You May Also Like “I genuinely feel very welcomed by Paris,” Stewart told WWD in a gilded reception room of the Irish embassy, a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe, as he put the finishing touches to his collection the day before the show.
- “When I decided I was going to show couture, I wanted to choose something that represented the craft of Ireland, and essentially something that’s almost a dying craft,” he said.
- At Paris Couture Week in July, all eyes were on legacy houses Balenciaga and Jean Paul Gaultier as they presented their first made-to-measure collections under new designers.
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Sources
- WWDlink