Prior to her FW23 runway show, Robyn Lynch shared a moodboard image with us that consisted of some very Irish paraphernalia: a touring map of the country, a book by Samuel Beckett, a trout fishing guide and a traditional Éire stamp. “Expect something even more patriotic than before,” Lynch told us.

Fast forward to show day, and Lynch didn’t disappoint. The scene was set: a wildflower garden sat at the top of the runway while harpist, Róisín Berkeley, performed live. “The designer is taking you to the rainy fields of the Emerald Isle,” read the press release.

As a finalist of the 2023 International Woolmark Prize, the idea of ‘dialogue’ was this year’s topic of exploration, and Lynch’s interpretation saw her embrace the idea of stereotypical imagery as a form of communication. A quick Google search for ‘Irish t-shirt’ later, and the results were predictable: “green, leprechauns, shamrocks, pints of Guinness and harps.” But instead of rejecting these cliches, Lynch embraced them as symbols of pride.

In an exclusively green colour palette (in four different shades), that aforementioned Ireland Touring Map would come in handy for Lynch’s group of young adventurers, who layered up in fleeces, technical sportsgear, windbreakers, shorts and Aran sweaters. Guinness harps were printed on ribbed tops alongside baggy hoodies, hoodies and scarves, while recycled materials from previous seasons were repurposed. Throughout the properties of merino wool were utilised and contemporised as part of Lynch’s involvement with The Woolmark Prize: “The fabric absorbs UV radiation and is both 100 percent biodegradable and renewable, as well as naturally resistant to fire.”