Biography

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1965

In 1965 Richard Lewis graduated from The Grafton Academy of Dress Design.This was the year in which Elvis Presley celebrated his 30th birthday, Batman made his television debut, U.S marines were sent into Vietnam and the Oscar for best film went to The Sound of Music.

London and Dublin were swinging, psychedelia was everywhere; it was a time of bright colours and bright ideas, opportunity and optimism and Richard opened his first fashion business.

Richard soon developed his own unique style, using soft fabrics in solid colours such as bitter chocolate, plum and even then, black.

His look was always a little bit more daring, skirts shorterand the silhouette leaner than his contemporaries.

Although Richard dabbled in couture, his main love was "boutique" retailing (described by Mary Quant as a "kind of permanently running cocktail party") and in particular his own trendy basement emporium.

At the end of the sixties, the change in fashion and economic conditions meant a change in direction. Richard explored various aspects of the Fashion industry,though never veering from his original love of simplicity and femininity.

1977 TO DATE

In November 1977 Richard opened his couture salon in 16 South Frederick Street, a street with a long association with couture having housed couturiers Irene Gilbert, Nellie Mulcahy, Ib Jorgenson and The Grafton Academy of Dress Design.

His initial collection of eleven garments was well received by both press and potential clients and the business went, though slowly at first, from strength to strength and over the years Richard has built up a firm and devoted following among Ireland’s best dressed ladies.

Richard is best known for late day and evening wear, in soft fluid lines and for the use of his signature fabric, matt jersey, a fabric, which he has been using since commencing in couture.

In the past he has received many accolades, including the Satzenbrau Fashion Oscar for best Spring Collection in 1988 and again in 1991 he received the Satzenbrau Special Award for his outstanding contribution to the fashion industry.

Richard has designed extensively for both stage and television and has designed for presenters and singersat Eurovision Song Contest on three occasions .

The past twenty-five years have seen great changes in the Irish fashion industry. A lot of designers and manufacturers have come and gone and a lot of those remaining have unfortunately found it necessary to move their production abroad and have thereby lessened the skill base so necessary for a healthy industry.

The introduction of V.A.T. on clothing in the eighties was yet another hammer blow dealt to an industry already weakened by high imports. Throughout these years Richard has remained consistent and loyal to his ideals of excellence in design and manufacture and by doing so has earned a place in the hearts of a client base that is varied in age and class.

The fact that he can boast of having clients in their twenties and some who are still clients since 1977, is testament to both his tenacity and his talent.

RICHARD LEWIS
22 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. Ireland.
Tel: 00353 1 6797016
Fax: 00353 1 6359834