THE IRISH ARAN KNIT
Image: Islands Eye knitwear
Aran grew up in the harsh environment of the Aran Islands where every-day wear consisted of home-spun fabrics and knits. Today it thrives as part of a rich craft heritage and as high and slow fashion on the catwalks of the world. Casting off into the world, the classic Irish Aran never lost its twin associations of comfort and resilience. Its narrative carried it across the world as much as its sculptural beauty.
Image: Island children circa. 1950 celebrating their confirmation on Inis Oírr, one of the Aran islands.
Joining us for our upcoming online talk, Knit, Vawn Corrigan explores how this proves to be a quintessential example of textiles ability to communicate globally. Vawn will also discuss the historic value of the cottage industry across generations, what form the living tradition takes today and what the future might hold for this ever-evolving knit.
Image courtesy of Kevin Burke
Vawn Corrigan is an author with a passion for textiles. She is based in Ireland’s former textile hub, the Liberties area of Dublin, from where she organises textile-related events, collaborates with makers, and presents slide shows around the country. Vawn enthusiastically shines a light on the hitherto overlooked role that textiles played in the everyday lives of generations as well as 2 their place in the current resurgence. Becoming part of the global textile community has provided many opportunities for this. Vawn’s two textile heritage books - Irish Aran: History, Tradition, Fashion, and Irish Tweed: History, Tradition, Fashion - are both by The O’Brien Press.
Our next online talk, Knit, will take place on Wednesday 14 September 2022 at 18:00 BST.
Find out more about the event and book your tickets on our Online Talks page.