Antonia Campbell Hughes

Antonia Campbell Hughes left Ireland at the age of three, returning home to attend the National College Of Art and Design in Dublin. Her international upbringing in Switzerland, Germany and the US influenced her creative tendencies and cultural outlook.

In her final year at NCAD, in 1999 Antonia won the “challenge design award”, which gave her the opportunity to intern at DKNY New York. It was during this period that Antonia penetrated the US market, establishing herself with specialized boutiques in designer concept clothing. This early exposure meant that almost immediately after graduation Antonia was submerged in the development of her label.

To date her collections are available in three continents and have featured in the glossy pages of Vogue, Wallpaper, I.D, Dazed and Confused and Amica Italia, to name just a few.

The fairytale winter collection of 2004 was inspired by the print etching depictions of the Queen character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland by John Tenniel. Antonia balances the use of dapped silk velvet and dirty flesh-tone leather with nostalgic prints. The designs are dominated by panelled gladiator dresses and skinny corseted tailoring, teamed with oversized knits.

By securing her international market from the outset, Antonia was able to alleviate herself from the creative restrictions imposed by Ireland’s conservative market.

“You need to be constantly curious and informed of what is going on in the world,” she adds. “The problem with basing yourself here is that you’re expected to conform to what Ireland wants of you.”

Now 23, Antonia Campbell Hughes is driven by a desire to experiment.

“I can’t understand creative people who restrict themselves to one outlet,” she says. “I am a firm believer in having your fingers in many pies. As well as design, I am interested in journalism, as well as video installation, and the possibility of merging it with fashion.”