March 8, 2025 |
Capturing a moment’s magic and urging us to revel in life’s beautiful and brief wonders, Róisín Pierce showcased her romantic AW25 collection dubbed Nothing Pure Can Stay. A nod to writers Sylvia Plath and Vladimir Nobokov, the collection explored the delicate tension between beauty and decay. Inspired by Plath’s haunting lines in Death & Co. – “The frost makes a flower / The dew makes a star” – Pierce celebrated the transient splendour of nature. At the heart of her vision was the snowflake: a fleeting, flawless creation that melts away too soon, reminding attendees to appreciate things of fragile beauty while they have them.
This philosophy materialised in an ethereal lineup of hand-crafted dresses and twinsets, effortlessly bridging the gap between bridal elegance and everyday romance. Passels of flowers and intricate lace adorned pieces in Pierce’s signature palette of black, blue and white – shades evoking purity, renewal and quiet transformation. Voluminous smocked ruffles, sheer lace gowns, flowing silken tulle trousers and delicate crochet lattice bags, all meticulously crafted using traditional Irish techniques, wove a narrative of impermanence and grace.
Adding to the dreamlike atmosphere, a number of models donned delicate headpieces – bowed head-wraps and lace caps adorned with sweet treat-like appliqués – offering the final touch to Pierce’s romantic reverie.
It was all set against an evocative soundscape composed by Simon Parris, interweaving instrumental melodies, vocal performances and spoken word. Pierce herself recited passages from Plath and Nabokov, while haunting strains of My Lagan, a traditional Irish folk song sung by her mother, Angie, melded past to present in a mesmerising dance of sound and story. As the music faded to silence, so too did the moment – leaving us, as Pierce intended, entranced by beauty’s impermanence.
Photography courtesy of Roísín Pierce.
