The Big Interview: Prints to Scarves – We Speak to Susannagh Grogan

Susannagh Grogan is an Irish print designer who designs luxurious scarves from her studio in Dun Laoghaire

Her collections have not only bagged her an ‘Accessory of the Year’ Award last year but also some of Ireland’s biggest stockists including Brown Thomas.

Her.ie caught up with Susannagh recently to find out where she started and what makes her design brain tick.

So Susannagh, tell us, how did you get started in the field of fashion design?

I studied at Chelsea College of Art straight from school so I’ve been in it for years and years, 16 actually. I initially wanted to do fine art but then I thought that I needed to do something more  commercial so I studied textile design which was a nice mix between the two. It gives you quite a lot of creative freedom but it’s also quite commercial as well. Then I went and worked in a studio from there and I got a job.

And was it hard at the beginning when you were starting out?

It was more difficult trying to move to the next stage after designing. You know, being a designer is fine, they just want you to do the designs especially florals because a lot of people couldn’t do florals. That was fine, it was trying to get to the next more commercial stage that was tough rather than just designing, designing, designing.

How has the industry changed since your began?

My main bit of it is print design and that has definitely changed because when I first started nobody knew what it was. Nobody had a clue what it meant and you had to describe what you did. And there were also very few jobs there. Now there’s much more of it about. Digital printing has expanded. I think on a whole there are so many different facets to it now like stylists and the likes. I think there’s more of an industry around and I suppose it’s taken more seriously now.

 

Susannagh's scarves are sold in shops including Brown Thomas.

Moving onto your scarves, what do you use as inspiration?

Lots and lots of different things. I think you’re always looking at things whether you’re designing or not. I don’t know, anywhere, everywhere. I’ve got quite a lot of reference books that I’ll look at if I’m stuck more whereas other times things will just come to me. I’ll see what I feel I need in the collection as well. I’ll always be keeping my eyes open. I might see a lovely picture or colour. Actually I’m just back from Provence for a week and it was absolutely beautiful. There was lots there that was just amazing, like the colours of the shutters. Just anything really. The hardest thing isn’t getting the inspiration, it’s making it strong. Not having too much in it and just making it a strong group.

How would you describe your designs?

What I really like to do is a modern Irish design but with an international feel. I like to keep it quite ornate and quite colourful. Like I said my background is in textile design so I am very print drive. I want a bit of humour in there as well. I just like the scarves to be really well made and very sustainable.

And what do you think a scarf can do for an outfit?

Because I tend to wear block colours I think it can give you a flash of colour. It can totally update what you’re wearing and change what you’re wearing. I think a bit of colour and on silk next to the face is really softening and nice. There’s no question that it can make an outfit and it’s an accessory and I suppose that’s what accessories do. They tie up an outfit really nicely and polish it off.

 

She describes them as a modern Irish design with an international feel.

You mentioned your own style there, what’s the rule you live by?

I don’t always do it but I always sort of try and keep it classic and then you can always add something amazing to it. Again I suppose with accessories or jewellery, even a scarf or whatever. If I was going to buy something, it would probably be go for something classic. I mean you can always change it. It’s great to go for fun things but I would always tend to buy classic as that will last and you can change it with something new.

Which celebrities do you think look fabulous?

Lots of people do. Again I would go for the classics like Lauren Bacall, just when you think of the amazing classic trouser suits. You know I like sort of old-fashioned. I also think Victoria Beckham always looks amazing, really polished. I would love to look that polished the whole time, you know, on the school run and that!

What advice would you give someone who wants to work in the industry?

I think you need to learn and do it from the ground. I don’t think there’s necessarily a fast route into it. I’ve had to do an awful lot of slog to do the stage where I could do my own thing. Just like anything, you have to be prepared to work. Some people are amazing. There are obviously geniuses out there who can immediately get picked up and fly but for most of us you have to work very hard and eventually it pays off.

Susannagh Grogan posing with a few pieces from her collection.

All images courtesy of Grainne Walsh.