Irish Craft Takes the Paris Couture Stage With Michael Stewart’s Standing Ground Show
Ireland’s craft heritage stepped onto one of fashion’s most prestigious platforms this week. In a significant moment for luxury design Ireland, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), backed by The Heritage Council, supported Michael Stewart’s Standing Ground presentation at Paris Haute Couture Week for Winter 2026/2027 with a remarkable Carrickmacross lace couture gown.
The show, hosted at the Irish Embassy in Paris on 6 July, brought together contemporary couture and centuries-old Irish lace-making. The featured gown was created in collaboration with Monaghan-based artisans, with designer and educator Natalie B. Coleman coordinating the project. It also highlighted how Irish makers continue to shape conversations around Irish luxury design, craftsmanship, and cultural identity on a global stage.
Why This Moment Matters for Luxury Design Ireland
This is more than a fashion story. It is a cultural statement about the value of Irish making traditions and their place within global creative industries. Carrickmacross lace, rooted in Monaghan since the 1820s, carries a deep community history and reflects generations of highly skilled handwork.
- Approximately 15 metres of lace were required for the couture piece
- Production is exceptionally labour-intensive, taking about 10 hours for every 20 centimetres
- The project honours the legacy of women whose work sustained the tradition for generations
As Michael Stewart noted, working with Irish craft for Paris was essential because Carrickmacross lace “stands confidently within that world.” For followers of luxury interiors Ireland and design-led craftsmanship, the project is a reminder that heritage techniques remain central to modern premium design.
Irish Heritage, Global Recognition
The timing is especially important. With the CIGI scheme now in force, craft traditions linked to place, such as Carrickmacross lace, can gain stronger recognition and protection. DCCI CEO Mary Blanchfield described the work as a global spotlight on Irish heritage craft, celebrating the artistry of Monaghan’s lace makers.
Founded in 2022, Standing Ground has quickly earned international attention, and Stewart’s earlier recognition through the Future Makers Awards underlines the strength of contemporary Irish talent. For audiences interested in interior design Ireland, bespoke craftsmanship, and the future of luxury design Ireland, this collaboration shows how tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully.
Ultimately, this Paris showcase proves that luxury design Ireland is not only about aesthetics, but also about heritage, identity, and world-class artistry. —– Image Courtesy – Design & Crafts Council Ireland
