AMONG the splendour of the V&A’s Renaissance riches, Richard Malone unveiled his SS22 collection along with his latest collaboration with British fashion brand, Mulberry.
The show saw the marriage of old and new: Malone’s unique design language with the traditional heritage of the leather goods, all surrounded by The Raphael Cartoons. At first glance, an unexpected combination; the two share a common desire to make fashion more sustainable and to champion British craftsmanship.
The Irish designer was originally struck by “the quiet confidence” of Mulberry’s original designs, leading him to deconstruct two iconic bags that both feature the Postman’s lock – the Bayswater and the Darley. Malone worked to transport the interior details onto the exterior. The result? Piping, pocket and fob detailing.
Their united dedication to the environment transpires throughout the collection. All leather products are sourced from gold-standard, environmentally accredited tanneries. “Collaborating with Mulberry feels like a natural fit for me – I really respect that they have meaningful, conscious values,” says Malone on his latest venture.
Putting his ethos into practise, Malone’s ensembles consisted of materials either recycled or sourced from UK and Irish mills. Sample twirls were reborn; life restored in the form of jackets.
The garments stayed true to his love for sculptural silhouettes (a passion mirrored in the triangular and cylindrical shapes of the accessories). However, the focus of this collection is on the process and intricacy of design; no doubt emphasised by the zestful colour palette of blue, red and green. He revealed all of this was inspired by the horse rosettes his grandmother would make as a child, believing they exemplified the message of celebration and confrontation which holds this collection together.
by Pia Brynteson
All images courtesy of Richard Malone