The Unforgettable Mayfire

Visual artist and designer Niamh Porter has always been interested in art, and even as a young child, spent her days making new outfits for her dolls.

“I come from quite a large creative family,” says Niamh. “I was incredibly blessed that we were always encouraged to be as creative as we could. We were also encouraged to follow our dreams and do what makes us happiest. I have never been an exceptionally outgoing person, and as a child I found a lot of comfort in expressing myself through art and design. As I got older and I was trying to figure out who I was, I became fascinated by the way we express our personalities through our clothing, and the way that we choose the version of ourselves we want to present to the world.”

Porter’s interest in fashion and design led her to study for a BA in Fashion with Promotion in the Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Her work has already been rewarded with several prestigious placements.

“I was delighted to be a student finalist in 2017 and 2018 in the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards,” enthuses Porter. “It was an amazing opportunity and I met so many other incredible designers, as well as being part of the University of Limerick DRS2018 emerging talent exhibition. In December 2017, I was runner-up in Donegal’s IBYE competition in the category for a medical smart watch design. I was incredibly proud of this achievement as it took me completely out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to think from a business point of view rather than design.”

Porter has set up her own label, Mayfire, and is amassing many fans for her unique, hand-dyed and printed fabrics and interesting silhouettes.

“My most recent collection is entitled OSSIANIC,” she explains. “It it is inspired by the Ossianic cycle of Irish mythology, namely Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Oisin and Tir Na nOg. I wanted to create a collection that celebrated Irish mythology and heritage in a modern way. The silhouettes of each garment were inspired by Celtic and clerical robes, and the textiles were inspired by stories in the Ossianic cycle, like the Giant’s Causeway and the Salmon of Knowledge.”

But Porter also looks to other cultures and more modern references to inspire her work.

“I am obsessed with street style from Seoul and Tokyo,” she notes. “I love everything about the silhouettes, prints and accessories people use. If you look up photos of Seoul Fashion Week, almost every person will give off a vibe of effortless elegance and cool, as if they just rolled out of bed and onto a runway. I also take inspiration from 1970s and ’80s icons like Prince, Bowie and the Sex Pistols. I have so much admiration for people who changed the fashion world.”

Porter is doing her best to bring about some of that change herself, and is currently working on her new signature print range. She admits that getting noticed within the Irish market can be challenging, as there are so many talented designers working today, but she’s philosophical about her climb to success.

“I have met so many unbelievable designers through my career already,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to working with, and getting to know, so many more in the future. I believe that staying true to yourself and a lot of hard work will get you where you’re meant to be in life.”

For more information on Mayfire Designs and Niamh Porter’s work, see Instagram and Twitter at @mayfiredesign; visit niamhporter.myportfolio.com; or email Niamh about purchases and enquiries at [email protected]