Kirby Hanrahan a graduate of Fashion and Technology at RMIT University in Melbourne has been appointed as the new Head of Design at Witchery. Her years of experience in fashion and design uphold stylish and thoughtful crafted designs with a focus on exceptional quality has made her the perfect candidate for the role.
She shares exclusively with Glamour about her new role and design direction.
How would you describe Witchery’s new design direction?
We’ve designed ready-to-wear and weekend wear for a curated wardrobe that’s on-trend and effortless. Our collections mix directional pieces with beautiful basics, enhanced by fashion-forward details and accessories. Everything has been designed to mix and match together to make a capsule wardrobe. The new direction is cohesive, cool and considered, with a focus on outstanding quality and design.
What inspires your design process?
I’m so lucky I get to travel for work. I do inspiration trips to the fashion capitals across the world. I look for inspiration everywhere; it can be the city I’m in, architecture, street style, local fashion, galleries and art history. I am also inspired by influences of fashion eras like the ‘80s and ‘90s and how trends have evolved and then modernised over time.
Standouts from the July collection and why?
Stand outs include the bubble skirt because it’s really playful and fun and can be styled so many different ways. The 100% wool suit is a favourite too. It has an internal elastic in the blazer sleeve which is a smart styling hack and an incredible way to wear your sleeves pushed up without them falling down. We really thought about what busy women need in this collection, and no one wants to have to keep readjusting their outfits.
I also love the jersey wrap dress. The ruching details are an elevated take on the trend, and it's a great trans-seasonal piece that can be dressed up or down. I love versatility, I know we’re all busy and need outfits that can be styled for whatever the day or night brings.
How do you hope the collection makes its wearer feel?
We know the power of fashion and how the perfect piece can transform your mood and confidence. Clothing is emotive and can make you feel a certain way, it holds memories – you wear it for an important time in your life and it reminds you of that. It’s very powerful. I hope our customers feel the most confident versions of themselves and I want our collections to empower them no matter what their day brings.
What does your day-to-day involve?
I oversee the creative direction of the product and support the design team to bring their designs to life. There’s also fittings, colour approvals, fabrication sourcing, researching colour and trend and so much more. Whether I’m in the office, or off on location for shoots, no two days are the same.
What is next for Witchery?
We are on a really exciting journey. We can’t wait for our customer to experience our new design direction and will continue to offer her the beautiful product that she loves. As we go into the high summer season, we focus on event dressing and we have some new beautiful elevated pieces that our customers can buy for important moments in their lives, which is a big step change for us. It’s a nod to our heritage but looking to the future.
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