Maria-Christina McPadden goes beyond the garment …
Image; Maria-Christina wears navy Reverie vest by McPadden.
Knitwear designer Maria-Christina McPadden’s inspiration comes from her Ecuadorian heritage. “It has deeply infl uenced how I see colour and texture in design,” she explains. “There’s a richness and vibrancy in Ecuadorian culture that I can’t help but carry with me – especially when it comes to craft smanship, embroidery, and colour. During visits to family in Ecuador, I have taken knitting and embroidery courses, which have definitely shaped my approach to design.”
The result is a new knitwear label, designed by Maria-Christina in Ireland and produced in small batches at a family-run factory in Italy. She explains how, after working abroad at luxury brands [including Mary Katrantzou, Max&Co and Viktor & Rolf], she saw the limitations of the commercial fashion world and wanted to create something for customers seeking unique pieces.
“I want to create garments that tell stories.”
McPadden creates limited runs of knitwear which will be sold only via the brand’s own website: “I want to connect directly with the people who wear my knitwear. Selling through my own website allows me to have full creative control – not just over the garments themselves, but also how they are presented and experienced. I want to create garments that don’t just follow trends but tell stories – something slower, more intentional.”
