Irish Designer Colin Burke On His Quiet Luxury Party Knits

Irish fashion designer Colin Burke’s new knitwear collection feels fresh – and ultra-decadent …

Galway-based Colin Burke describes himself as feeling more like an architect than a fashion designer. It’s not all that surprising, either. Part art-pieces, part heirlooms, Burke’s voluminous jumpers and cardigans have heralded a new silhouette in knitwear (and made him a key player on Irish design’s burgeoning luxury fashion scene). Offering a fresh take on the traditional Aran knit, Burke’s low-key cool designs have shot to popularity in the last six years, with a coterie of dedicated fans who are drawn to the XL sleeves, the intricate crochet stitching and the fact that they’re investing in a piece of Irish design that will outlive any trend-cycle. Fashion often leans into the phrase ‘timeless’ but, in this case, it feels apt.

In his own words, what is it about a Colin Burke knit that has such appeal? “I think the reason that the pieces retail well is because you can wear them in many different ways. In the last two years, I’ve had brides wear my cardigans, as well as a lot of people choosing to wear them to very special occasions,” he says.

Silver custom knitted gown, POA, and silver Dove Aran knit cardigan, €1,950; www.colinburke.ie and at Havana.

Answering the demand for black-tie knits, Burke has just released a new collection in time for the festive season that updates his signature cardigans, turtlenecks and crewnecks with party-appropriate fabrics. The AW25 drop sees super-soft metallic Italian lurex mingle with Donegal wool: the result is a collection of knits that are just right for partywear. A discerning kind of partywear, of course. “I’ve been really careful to ensure the pieces are not overtly sparkly. Depending on the light, a photograph might pick it up, it might not pick it up. So, it’s very discreet, it’s not loud,” he says. This season also sees the introduction of two dresses, a first for the designer.

Black Solara Aran knit jumper, €1,950; www.colinburke.ie and at Havana.

A quiet luxury take on partywear is apt for Burke’s cohort of dedicated fans. Spot these sophisticated women – they’ll often be wearing head-to-toe black and accessorising with Simone Rocha crocs or Marsell stomping boots – far and wide. Then there is fashion and beauty savant (and keynote speaker at The Gloss Gala 2025) Trinny Woodall, who branded him a “genius” after discovering the brand on a recent trip to Dublin. Burke, who is highly discreet about his clients, does note one story of a customer who, while walking down a London street, was asked about her jumper eight times. As well as offering polished structure, the knits are conversation-starters. “I think customers like how I’m bringing Irish craft into a very modern context,” he says. Equally, they mingle well with pieces of Japanese influence or the directional international designers found at Burke’s stockist Havana in Donnybrook: founder Nikki Creedon has been one of Burke’s champions since he established his label in 2019. They’re also comfortable, something which is of utmost importance. Whether it’s a crewneck, polo neck or cardigan, each piece is cosy but deceivingly lightweight, he confirms. Classic shades such as navy, black and ivory – as well as a new colour called oat – all team well with Irish skin-tones.

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They are also the height of craftsmanship. Each piece is time-intensive to make as the lurex is hand-crocheted and hand-knitted (by expert craftspeople in the west of Ireland) with cotton or Italian merino wool, leaving a subtle shimmer of metallic that excites. Much like an artist’s palette, the addition of the lurex changes the blend of colours and the overall shade of the jumper. It conjures the easy luxury of a Chanel tweed jacket. But, of course, these pieces are not just for Christmas. One hero piece is the Dove light grey cardigan – a decadent choice for winter that can easily be teamed with white cottons or jeans in the summer. Versatile and timeless: possibly the definition of modern luxury? We think so.