Orla Langan is an Irish fashion designer whose work explores and deconstructs traditions of tailoring and garment-making, drawing inspiration from historical costume, Japanese workwear, sportswear, art, music and emerging technologies. Sustainability is among the core principles of her label, as she creates products with the vision of building a world where waste is effectively eliminated. She merges this interest with technology, creative cutting, non-binary fashion and contemporary streetwear to form a modernist mix of fabrication, pattern, colour and detail.

GCN sat down with Orla Langan to find out more about her work.

What sparked your interest in fashion?
I was a teenager in the ’80s, and I loved seeing the fashion on MTV’s Top of the Pops (showing my age) and realised that there were limited fashion options for me here in Dublin, so I needed to be more creative. I remember I used to buy some designer labels from charity stores and I would put the labels onto my own clothes. I know, crazy I would think of that! I always wanted to be seen as the most stylish and craved newness. I was very much into the denim brands and would live in dungarees, so my love for denim was born there.

Even though I was terribly shy at school, I spoke through my clothes. I begged my mum to teach me how to sew so I could mix things up a little. She arranged lessons with my cousin Fionnuaghla, and I just took off from there. I knew I wanted to do fashion from the age of 12 and was constantly ripping, upcycling and recreating new clothes. My mum would bring me to see the NCAD graduate shows, and I remember when I saw Philip Treacy’s graduate collection in 1987, there was no turning back.

What areas of fashion are you particularly interested in?
I have been heavily influenced by the Antwerp Six, who are a legendary group of radical, avant-garde Belgian fashion designers. They revolutionised global fashion in the 1980s by using deconstruction, asymmetrical tailoring, and upcycling methods to challenge traditional European couture.

I am very interested in modular and adaptive design systems, where sleeves, collars, or panels can be swapped or repaired, as well as zero-waste and gender-inclusive pattern cutting, using 3D simulation to optimise fit across diverse body shapes.

I love that the future of fashion lies at the intersection of craftsmanship and technology, where digital innovation enhances, not replaces, the knowledge, skill, and cultural value embedded in making.

What is it like to run your own label?
Fashion is an incredibly challenging and competitive industry, but I believe the most important thing is to stay true to your own creative voice. There will always be someone new emerging, a new trend, or a new technology capturing attention, but authenticity and a strong design philosophy are what create longevity. My focus is on forging my own path, exploring the relationship between craftsmanship, innovation, sustainability, and storytelling, rather than being distracted by what others are doing.

In what ways do you prioritise sustainability in your designs?
I prioritise sustainability by creating considered, long-lasting garments that challenge the principles of fast fashion. My approach focuses on responsible design through thoughtful material choices, quality craftsmanship, innovative pattern cutting, and designing pieces with longevity and emotional value. I continue to explore ways to reduce waste through creative reuse, modular thinking, and digital technologies such as 3D design, while celebrating the skills of making and the importance of Irish craft traditions. Sustainability is embedded throughout my process, from concept development and production to creating garments that are designed to be valued, worn, repaired, and kept for the future.

All fashion and textile makers will soon require a Digital Fashion Passport, an upcoming EU requirement that gives each garment a digital identity, tracking its materials, making process, care, repair, and recycling journey to support transparency and circular design. I just recently completed a course with the VORN Design Academy in Berlin to deepen my understanding of the 3D fashion design software CLO and size, fit, and inclusive design approaches. This learning supports my commitment to creating garments that better respond to diverse bodies and wearer needs.

What role does gender play in your designs?
Gender plays an important role in my work by challenging traditional ideas of femininity, identity, self-expression, and the way clothing relates to the body. I design with inclusivity at its core, creating adaptable, expressive garments that respond to diverse identities and celebrate the individuality of every wearer. The focus is on creating garments that empower the wearer, celebrating diversity, confidence, and personal identity.

Can you tell us some of your recent career highlights?
I recently won the IDI Awards under the Use of Technology category called ‘Retro Futurism Zero Waste’, a collaboration with 3D digital fashion designer Arvydas Zapivalovas.

I also created some pieces for host Siobhán McSweeney on The Traitors Ireland on RTÉ One. She wore the bespoke deep red silk taffeta skirt for the opening scene. I similarly made some work for visual artist Lucy Hill, now exhibited at Draíocht as part of Colourings by Lucy Hill, a collaborative project exploring the relationship between drawing, textile, sculpture, sound, and sensory experience.

Finally, I was a tailor for Harry Styles for his 2023 concert in Ireland, as part of Love On Tour.

What are your hopes for the future of your label?
I hope to have more fun creating and continue to grow a distinctive, sustainable fashion label that continues to merge craftsmanship, innovation, and technology. I aim to create meaningful garments that celebrate individuality and push creative boundaries.

Education is central to my goals too, using my experience to inspire and empower the next generation of designers (I currently teach first-year Fashion Design at NCAD part-time). I will continue to forge my own path while sharing my knowledge, skills, and passion for sustainable, innovative fashion.

To find out more about Orla Langan and her label, click here.