Sybil Connolly was the first Irish woman to take

Transcript:Sybil Connolly was the first Irish woman to take:
Sybil Connolly was the first Irish woman to take the world of fashion by storm. She was a world-famous designer of clothing in the 20th century. Sybil Connolly Sybil was born in Swansea, Wales on 24 January 1921. After her father died, her family moved to Co. Waterford, where her father was from. When Connolly was 17, she moved to London to start an apprenticeship at a dressmaking shop owned by two Irish brothers, Jim and Comerford Bradley. Early life In 1940, at the age of 19, she returned to Dublin. She started working at a well-known Irish clothing brand named Richard Alan. She began expressing her creativity in the Irish clothing market. Early life In 1945, Connolly designed the first Aer Lingus cabin crew uniform. It was brown and had a military style. She designed a second uniform in 1948. It was green, the colour that is still associated with Aer Lingus today. Working with Aer Lingus In 1952, Connolly became the chief designer at Richard Alan. Her first major fashion show was held on the grounds of Dunsany Castle, Co. Meath in 1953. The fashion editor of the magazine Harper’s Bazaar brought American fashion buyers and journalists to see the show. Invading the world of fashion After the success of her fashion show in Dunsany Castle, she travelled to the USA. One of her dresses was featured on the cover of a popular American magazine called Life. The tagline was ‘Irish invade fashion world’. Invading the world of fashion Connolly promoted Irish craftmanship and Irish fabrics. She transformed the image of Irish clothing from plain and functional to modern, sophisticated and glamorous. Promoting Irish fabrics One of the fabrics that Connolly used in her designs was lace. Lace is a delicate fabric made of embroidered net. Connolly used lace that was made by hand in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Connolly’s favourite fabrics – lace Wool is an age-old fabric used in Ireland. Connolly favoured báinín wool in her designs. This was the wool that was traditionally used to make Aran jumpers. Connolly’s favourite fabrics – wool Tweed is a woollen fabric that is very warm and durable. Connolly used Donegal tweed in her designs. Connolly’s favourite fabrics – tweed Crocheted fabric is made of looped yarns to create a pattern. Connolly often used it as a decorative material. Connolly’s favourite fabrics – crocheted fabric One of Connolly’s favourite fabrics