User:Emilyecullen/Cyril Cullen

Cyril Cullen - Irish Fashion Designer
Irish international designer, Cyril Cullen, is famous for revolutionising Irish knitwear design in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He is often referred to as 'the man who made Aran sweaters sexy'. Born in Fermoy, Co. Cork and now based in 15th century Farney Castle in Co. Tipperary, Cyril's designs have become iconic in the international fashion world. Once described by Adele Astaire as 'a second Balenciaga', Cyril has designed for some of the world's most stylish women. Cyril held his first fashion show in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel in 1968 and, in 2010, he celebrated fifty years in business. In the 1980s he realised his love of ceramics in the design and manufacture of his own unique range of porcelain. A book about Cyril's life, written by his youngest daughter, Margot, was published in 2005. Knot Sure: The Life and Work of Irish Fashion Designer, Cyril Cullen (Blackwater Press) charts his career in the world of international fashion. From his first appearances demonstrating hand-knitting skills on RTE (Ireland’s first national television station) to his trips to the annual ‘Modefest International’ in former Yugoslavia, and his involvement in a hand-knitting project in Lesotho in Africa, Knot Sure provides a fascinating account of Cyril's life and work to date.

For further information see Cyril Cullen's official website

References

Cullen, Margot. Knot Sure: The Life and Work of Irish Fashion Designer, Cyril Cullen. Dublin: Blackwater Press, 2005.

Power, Bairbre. 'The Man who made Aran sweaters sexy: knitwear king celebrates 50 years of hits'. The Irish Independent, 10th May, 2010.

Harris, Constance. 'Close-knit family has a true flair for design'. The Sunday Independent, 1st August, 2010.