Urban Aran redefines every day classics with an every-season approach, through considered design, traditional techniques and luxurious fabrics. Every piece is completed with an outstanding quality of workmanship. Urban Aran believe in slow fashion, designed and made for longevity. Their customers are not bound to seasonal trends. Sustainability, craftsmanship and provenance guide everything we make, and ensure the long-lasting appeal of Urban Aran garments.
Christine Murphy, founder of Urban Aran, worked in the luxury hotel industry for over 20 years before starting her own venture. Christine was involved in many interior design projects during her time in hospitality – which ignited her love for fabrics, yarns and various textiles.
Can you give us a brief overview of Urban Aran and the inspiration behind it?
I studied in Shannon college of hotel management followed by a marketing degree while working as Director of Sales and Marketing for Ritz Carlton and The Doyle Collection for 12 years. I began a flexible learning course at Limerick College of Art and Design on a casual basis. Meanwhile I worked my way up to General Manager of a large luxurious country estate. A significant part of my role was the redevelopment of a hotel on the estate from inception to opening involving a full design spectrum which I really enjoyed. I love textiles and colour and was fascinated by how designs formed so beautifully in hotel textures and fashion. I was hooked! I am very used to dealing with a busy environment leading a team and managing customer expectations. I began designing textiles for luxury hotels nationally adopting their cultural landscape creatively and this went very well until March 2020 when I had to pivot the business like so many other micro business owners.
I released my first fashion collection in October 2021 having sourced new manufacturers and having created technical sketches while testing luxury natural fibre yarns. I continued in the background working on private projects and I anticipate some hospitality projects will return in the coming months. In addition I am releasing my second fashion knitwear collection at Showcase Ireland under the Design Ireland umbrella. I employ a local knitters locally and I outsource production.
Sustainability is a key concern across all industries with companies expected to take responsibility for their actions. What does this look like for Urban Aran?
I work only in natural fibres. My yarn is sourced from Italy, I work currently in super fine merino that is traceability certified and has a low environmental impact production cycle. It is also mulesing free wool ensuring there is no cruelty to animal welfare in the production of the yarn.
I work locally with a linen weaver and linen comes from the flax plant which is far safer for the environment than cotton.
My packaging is recyclable and my mailer bags are fully compostable. There are always improvement’s to be made but this is always to the forefront of our business strategy
What are the challenges that you face in your business and how do you overcome them?
A key goal of mine is to manufacture in Ireland in the long term. I currently manufacture between Ireland and Holland. It is expensive. Many designers like myself have to go overseas to finish contemporary collections with technical knitting designs and 3D knitting techniques due to a shortage of technical knitting skills , availability of manufacturers and machinery in Ireland. It is a real shame that our designs cannot be produced in Ireland unless we make them ourselves but this is impossible when driving scale to meet orders and expand the business.
What, in your opinion, is the reason for Urban Aran’s success?
The brand is like a three legged stool, as we all know this is the most stable piece of furniture. The business is made up of three key segments, fashion, partnerships/ collaborations and private label long term projects. This is the reason business has been progressive and developmental. While there are vulnerabilities in 3 markets they will never collapse all at the same time. I had good evidence of this during the pandemic and it is a model I adopted from working in the business side of the hotel industry for over 20 years.
My designs are also individual to Urban Aran. I have my own distinctive handwriting design. I developed my signature aesthetic for the fashion collection from research and a love of urban art, from street drawings to public tags to graffiti inspired murals. Colour is a key component in my design theme always.
As a member of the Council of Irish Fashion Designer, what are the benefits this brings your business?
I am a relatively new member, it has already created opportunities that I would not have considered and allowed a spotlight on Urban Aran as well as other wonderful craft makers and designer’s. In this business we often work in silos and CIFD provides a support network. It also pushes us/me beyond our comfort zone in terms of design and opportunities It is invaluable as we learn from those in Ireland who make and design the best quality pieces and we are encouraged to follow suit with our own individual talents.
What made you decide to become a member of Guaranteed Irish?
I am proud to be an Irish business in knitwear fashion which is a difficult market to be in. It is quite relentless and Ireland is under recognised for its talent. Through CIFD and Guaranteed Irish I hope we can nurture skills and manufacturing in Ireland collectively.
What’s next for Urban Aran?
I plan to expand my wholesale business in some exciting new stores.
I begin a Ready to Export Programme in March.
I am working on my third collection. I am challenging my design skills. I am in training on technical knitting machines this summer in The Netherlands.
I am very proud to be included the ARC Cancer support fashion show in the RDS on the 21st of April for such a worthy cause, as an emerging designer where I will show 6 looks from my collections on the catwalk.
To learn more about Urban Aran, visit: https://urbanaran.com/