Armagh Rhymers Bring Irish Folklore Flair to McQueen’s Paris Runway

The Armagh Rhymers are a well-known group from Northern Ireland who are famous for their unique costumes and their dedication to preserving the ancient Irish tradition of mumming. Mumming is a form of folk theatre where people wear masks and costumes, going from house to house to perform poetry, music, and dance. This tradition has been part of Irish culture for centuries and was often used to mark important events in the community. The Armagh Rhymers wear woven headpieces that look like animals and clothes made from materials like hessian, tweed, and straw. Their performances are not only entertaining but also help keep Irish folklore alive.

Recently, the Armagh Rhymers were invited to take part in McQueen's Paris Fashion Week show. Seán McGirr, the creative director of McQueen, is Irish and has a deep appreciation for Irish culture, history, and heritage. He wanted to bring elements of Irish folklore and mythology into the fashion show, and the Armagh Rhymers were the perfect fit. The group worked with local straw craft workers to create large straw maypole toppers and more than 500 harvest knots, which are small tokens made from wheat. These harvest knots were traditionally given as love tokens and were used as special invitations for the guests at the show. The set for the fashion show featured hessian ribbons and straw maypole toppers, creating a tepee-like structure that highlighted the beauty of Irish craft.

Clare Jennings, who has been a member of the Armagh Rhymers for four years, traveled to Paris with Creative Director Dara Vallely and board member Anne Hart to participate in the show. They wore their traditional masks and costumes on the red carpet as guests arrived, showcasing the local heritage and craft of Northern Ireland. Clare said it was an amazing opportunity to share their work with a wider audience and to have it recognized by a major fashion house like McQueen. The Armagh Rhymers usually perform in schools and community groups, so being part of a haute couture show was a big change for them. Anne Hart explained that when Dara started the group nearly 50 years ago, many ancient traditions were at risk of being forgotten. They feel fortunate that Seán McGirr was so interested in mumming and their work.

In addition to the Armagh Rhymers' success, another designer from Northern Ireland made headlines at Paris Fashion Week. Johnathan Anderson, who grew up in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, unveiled his debut women's collection for Dior. Anderson is the first designer since Christian Dior to take on this role, and he credits his upbringing in Northern Ireland for shaping his perspective. He attended a Vogue runway show in London with actress Cate Blanchett, further highlighting the growing influence of Irish talent in the world of high fashion. The achievements of the Armagh Rhymers and Johnathan Anderson show how Irish culture and creativity are being celebrated on the global stage.