Video : Heather Finn

Heather graduated with a degree in Fashion from NCAD in 2002. Specialising in knitwear, she turned her focus to rich colour ways and intense pattern. All the work is made in Ireland by Heather in her studio in the North Strand in Dublin. She uses natural yarns in cashmere, fine merino, lambswool and silk to create modern easy-to-wear silhouettes. We stopped by for a quickfire Q&A and to shoot a short video of here at work, making a scarf for the store.

• —Tell us a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
  Heather Finn, knitwear designer, North Strand, Dublin 1.

  
  

  —Apart from creating things, what do you do?
  Spending time with friends.

  
  —What first made you want to become an artist?
  I grew up in a house of artists, never knew there was such thing as a normal job until it was too late!

  
  —Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
  When I have a starting point, I pin up my research on the studio wall above the knitting machine. I swatch samples until I am happy with a piece and then figure out how to translate it into a garment by working on a dress-maker’s dummy.

  
  —What advice would you give to artists?
  Don’t give up.

  
  —How do you promote your work?
  Through my involvement with trade shows such as Dublin Fashion Week, press and my website.

  
  —In ten years I’d like to be…
  Living by the sea.

  
  —How would you describe your style of design?
  I focus on colour, pattern and simple shapes.

  
  —Do you have another job?
  No.

  
  —What would you be doing if you were’nt designing?
  No idea.

  
  —What’s a typical day like for you?
  Hectic!

  
  —What’s your favourite day of the week?
  Sunday as it’s my day off.

  
  —What do you do to kill time?
  Read and go for walks.

  
  —Are you living your ideal lifestyle right now? If not what is your ideal lifestyle?
  My ideal lifestyle is this one but with more time off.

  
  —What’s your favourite drink?
  Frozen Margarita.

  
  —What would be a special treat for you?
  Hot stone massage.

  
  —A dream job to you is…
  This one, with less stress.

  
  —What is your latest obsession?
  Crochet and Fifi, my crazy kittens.

  
  —What can’t you live without?
  Niall.

  
  —What’s your best selling design/product?
  My rose pin cardi that comes in every colour.

  
  —What’s your usual way of cooking a potato?
  Roasting.

  
  —Your favourite/most interesting supplier?
  Macbees in Kilarney have a lovely gallery next to their shop and recently asked me to exhibit a knitted piece alongside one of my Mum’s prints. We both share the same sense of colour and it worked really well.

  
  

  
  

  Music by P-Dog

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