Tim Ryan A/W'14: The Woman who Sings - The Clothes Maiden Magazine

Anyone who is into fringe or fringe trims should definitely be on the lookout for Tim Ryan’s A/W’14 collection. The pieces are also perfect for summer festivals and overall, for the sunny season despite it being for A/W’14. It is inspired by the 1978 Russian film ‘Zhenshchina kotoraya poyot’ (The Woman who Sings) staring Alla Pugacheva. The plot centres on a woman finding a way to her true voice.

The collection identifies the vulnerability and exhibitionism that are essential in a woman who sings. The dark modernist interiors contrasting with the flamboyance of the theatres in which she sings are key to the colour ways, mood and fabrications in the collection. This is seen by the juxtaposition and clashing of moody dark-sky mohairs against strong blocks of basic modernist colour, black, ecru, red and blue. Additionally, the soft, intimate and protective cashmere fabric is featured to contrast with flashy Lurex and bold mohair furs. The current collection includes heavily fringed chevron jackets, lace banded tops, dramatically fringed skirts and signature scarves which are all handmade in limited edition.

Self-taught knitwear designer Tim Ryan was born in 1973 in Puckane, Ireland and at the moment is based in London. Before studying sculpture at the Limerick School of Art and Design, Tim learnt to knit at home. The next 12 years was spent producing handmade knitted and crochet pieces for boutiques and private clients in Ireland, before moving to London in 2005.

Knitwear collections are always 100% handmade or hand-loomed on domestic machinery. All of Tim’s designs are ethically produced in Europe – mostly in the UK and Ireland – by a team of craftswomen fully skilled to produce the complex garments in cashmeres, silks and viscose, also creating his signature lace evening and fringed pieces.

Priscilla Aroean

To see the full collection visit Avenue32’s website here.