Clare O’Connor is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist and designer who was a graphic designer but later returned to college to study visual arts specialising in painting, printmaking, and photography.

She now works as an abstract painter while also running a wearable art brand using her vibrant paintings as the inspiration for her striking designs.

With her creative output spanning both fine art and fashion design, her body of work encompasses both disciplines while providing a livelihood for the diligent artist/designer.

Clare’s intuitive paintings use a dynamic mix of organic and organised forms, saturated colour, stripes, and bold painterly forms to uplift and inspire.

When this imagery is applied to her dresses, kimonos, scarves, wraps, and umbrellas it becomes a stylish fashion statement that creates an immediate impact.

Wear any of her designs and people will cross the street to ask you where they are from.

Clare uses vivid colours, patterns, multiple layers, and juxtaposed shapes which create movement and a sense of positive energy which all contribute to the effervescent nature of her designs.

One imagines that it would be impossible to be in a bad mood wearing her kaleidoscopic creations.

Describing her motivations Clare says, ‘My new ranges aim to empower and bring joy, luxury, vibrant colour and positive energy to your everyday.’

She has just released new designs on her website, clareoconnor.net, as shown in this beautiful shoot at Kilruddery House and Gardens, Co Wicklow.

Apart from being visually striking Clare’s designs are also very versatile – they can serve as holiday wear (they are printed on pure silk which is breathable and a pleasure to wear next to the skin in hot weather) or as special occasion outfits that will stand out for their individuality.

Clare’s designs are printed by her manufacturer in Como, Italy, and both her kimonos and dresses are hand made locally here in Ireland.

The silk kimonos come in five striking designs which can be ordered in a long or short style and in two sizes (standard and extra-large) while the silk dresses also come in two sizes, and are made with Fuji silk which is a medium heavy weight, creamy silk with a soft lustre which drapes beautifully and dyes to rich, deep shades.

Clare describes her kimonos as ‘a work of art in themselves’ and they come in vibrant colourway taken directly from her energetic abstract paintings, while incorporating her contrast signature stripped trims and pockets.

Her dresses meanwhile are a simple flattering shift dress which can be worn on their own for elegant occasions or on summer holidays or dressed casually over leggings or trousers’.

It has been an extremely busy year for the busy creative – she was recently made an associate artist for County Meath in visual arts, which means extra support in terms of residencies, mentorship, and a bursary to support her art practice.

Her creations are currently in a Design Ireland X Arnotts pop until the end of July and in September she will have a solo show opening on Culture night at the Toragh Gallery in Kells.

If you are looking for an outfit that is Irish and utterly distinctive, then Clare’s collection is a perfect choice.

Both energetic and dynamic, her garments and accessories empower and uplift, while semaphoring that you are a connoisseur with a unique sense of personal style.

See the collection at clareoconor.net

Shoot credits:

Location: Kilruderry Houses and Garden, Wicklow
Models: Getrude Langat, Li Ann Smal, Morgan The Agency
Make up: Aushra Lauren
Hair: Liliya Yamelsky
Photographer: Kristina Kairiene- Odry, Carrot Inc
Set Design/Creative Direction: Vaida Rasciute, Carrot Inc