Q1. Tell us where it all began
Urban Aran was set up in 2018, the business initially started designing and making throws and blankets for luxury hotels including Mount Juliet, Adare Manor, The Merrion and The Cliff Group.
However, as many hotels closed during the pandemic, the business offering had to change and the new focus was on creating natural linen face masks for the duration of a year.
During this year, time was also spent sketching knitted fashion designs while sampling different types of luxury wool on flatbed knitting machines resulting in Urban Aran’s first fashion collection being launched in October 2021.
“Urban Aran was set up in 2018, the business initially started designing and making throws and blankets for luxury hotels…”
Q2. What differentiates you from similar businesses in this area?
The point of differentiation for Urban Aran is our innovative designs embracing colour and quality of wool. We use three-dimensional technical knitting techniques to research and develop innovative knitwear solutions and designs.
This is the future of sustainable knitwear and we are very excited to be part of it.
“We use three-dimensional technical knitting techniques to research and develop innovative knitwear solutions and designs.”
Q3. What would you say are the biggest challenges your business is currently facing?
Manufacturing knitwear in Ireland is limited so Urban Aran has been challenged to produce full collections on Irish shores. Wool has also become extremely expensive, so I am constantly researching sustainable yarns at the best prices to create a soft luxurious hand feel.
There is also a shortage of skilled knitwear programmers and designers to recruit and this is an area that needs development.
“…I am constantly researching sustainable yarns at the best prices to create a soft luxurious hand feel.”
Q4. What are your top ‘moments of joy’ over the past 4-5 years?
Urban Aran was delighted to be chosen as one of 27 Irish designers to feature in store with Brown Thomas for a period of 6 weeks as part of their Irish design support programme called CREATE. We received very positive feedback from Brown Thomas customers about our collections.
Urban Aran (Christine) was invited to meet King Charles in Waterford during his visit in 2022.
Urban Aran was awarded by the design and Craft Council a “Future Makers Award” under their category of Emerging Irish designers in 2022.
We were shortlisted by The Irish Design Institute as an up and coming Fashion and Textile Designer.
We have collections stocked in Adare Manor, Ashford Castle, Muse boutique and to be invited to stock online with Wolf and Badger.
“Urban Aran was awarded by the design and Craft Council a “Future Makers Award” under their category of Emerging Irish designers in 2022.”
Q5. What does the future hold for your business?
My business model is now firmly focused on wholesale with a specific view on the North American market and Benelux markets. My business model is a 3-legged approach, including B2B within the hospitality industry.
I also provide private label for other lifestyle brands in addition to my own fashion knitwear collection which uses only natural fibres yarns that are responsibly sourced.
“My business model is a 3-legged approach, including B2B within the hospitality industry.”
