no muss, no fuss
IRISH LABEL 31 CHAPEL LANE IS ALL
ABOUT KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE, STUPID.When did you start 31 Chapel Lane and how has it developed
since then? Damien Hannigan: We started 31 Chapel Lane in 2012,
initially focused on homewares and soft furnishing products only.
Over the years, what we offer has evolved and expanded – we now
make both homewares and clothing (ready-to-wear and bespoke
pieces for private clients).
What were you doing beforehand? Joi Hannigan: My career
wasin banking and finance. I’ve also worked in the non-profit
and social service sectors. Damien is an architect.
Tell us a little about your current collection and how it came to be.
DH:All our pieces begin from the same place: a recognition that
there’s nothing new to create. Never a blank page, as such. We
start with the goal of improving a basic item – a shirt or trouser,
for example. It may be motivated by a practicality or an aesthetic,
but in all instances, the initial motivation is the uniqueness of
the fabrics we're working with.
Talk us through the fabrics and silhouettes you’ve used. JH: We use
pure Irish linen and Donegal tweed exclusively, looking after them with
thoughtful craftsmanship. They’re the two things our customers keep
coming back for – it’s important we let them do the talking.
How has your personality worked its way into this collection?
JH:We’re low-key, private and attentive people – we don’t like
drawing attention to ourselves, and I think the shyness and
quietness translates into what we make. We encourage customers
to focus on the inner workings of our garments. They don’t ‘scream’
for attention – they’re quite plain at first glance; we don’t print on
our fabrics; and embellishment is not our strength, either. So, until
customers actually have a feel of our garments, observe them and
think about them, they probably don’t understand why they’re special.
Which part of designing a range do you enjoy most? JH: Definitely
theelimination part, having a clear conviction on what not to include.
Sensing the right timing for when to put the pencil down. If a garment
doesn’t need an extra button, then we won’t add one. If it doesn’t
need a pocket, then no pocket, and that’s that. Respecting the quality
of the fabrics and being thoughtful about construction is so much
more important than adding more of ‘my’ design.
Whereabouts is your studio based? DH: Our studio is based in
the Georgian quarter of Limerick City, on the west coast of Ireland.
It's a small, quiet city. Unassuming and without scene.
Where can you imagine the pieces in this collection being worn?
DH:We like to believe the clothing we make is of a modest
sensibility. The pieces are quiet to the point of being background,
therefore can and should be worn anywhere. JH: I tend to
romanticise stories related to our garments a lot – how they’ll
travel with our customers, what journeys they’ll embark on with
their future owners. I’d like to think they become treasures taken
wherever they go, like toddlers and their teddies.
Where can we see more of your items? 31chapellane.comlooks we like