Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) collaborate to promote the work inspired by Ireland’s rich history of craft and lacemaking with a combined €2,000 bursary prize
Tuesday, 17th December 2024: Design & Crafts Council Ireland and the RDS today announced Olwen Bourke as the recipient of this year’s RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary 2024. The Branchardière Lace Bursary funded by the RDS, managed by DCCI via the DCCI GANS (guilds, associations, networks, societies) Network Support Scheme, supports innovation in contemporary lace making and craft. The bursary is designed to support aspiring individuals, ensuring the continuation of the tradition of excellence in lace craftsmanship.
Judges for this year’s awards included Camilla Hanney, ceramist and joint winner of RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary in 2022; Dr. Isha Tyagi, Head of Craft & Education at DCCI, and Katharine Maurer, a member of the RDS Arts Committee. The purpose of the RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary, which is valued at €2,000, is to provide support to contemporary Irish lacemakers. The lacemaking tradition is very strong in Ireland, and in recent years, knitting, crochet and needlework has undergone a revival.
Camilla Hanney, former winner and judge said: “Olwen has found a sustainable way to create beautifully delicate, timeless garments by repurposing Irish lace. She has successfully found a way to celebrate the beauty and history of Irish lace in a contemporary format. Her proposal actively promotes and sheds light on the toil of Irish lacemakers. Olwen’s work demonstrates her dedication to the craft of Irish lace. I am very excited to see what her future career holds.”
Olwen’s work takes inspiration from Irish fashion designers including Sybil Connolly and how she transformed traditional Irish lace into high fashion. The aim of Olwen’s work is to highlight the beauty of Irish lace, to push the boundaries of lace techniques in fresh and exciting ways, to create a demand, a revival and employment for lace making, and to show its huge relevance for today’s fashion market. Olwen is currently working on a new collection of bridal and eveningwear to show how Irish lace can be used in modern and relevant ways for the 21st century by combining antique Irish lace with new Irish lace embellishments. She is also working on a new collection of shirts, made from both Irish linen and Irish lace.
Commenting on being the 2024 recipient, Olwen Bourke said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be awarded the RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary. I’m passionate about shining a light on Irish lace, and this award will help me towards my goal of reviving traditional Irish lacemaking techniques for the contemporary bridal and fashion market. I believe that Irish lace is a highly skilled, beautiful art form, steeped in history, that should be protected for future generations, utilised by our fashion industry, and promoted internationally. Thank you to DCCI and the RDS for your encouragement and support.”
Isha Tyagi, Head of Education, DCCI and judge said: “On behalf of DCCI, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Olwen Bourke for being awarded this prestigious award. This bursary serves as a remarkable opportunity to support emerging talent in the world of lace design, and Olwen’s work exemplifies the creativity, skill, and dedication that the award seeks to foster. We are thrilled to see the continued evolution of lace craftsmanship and to support Olwen as she embarks on this exciting new chapter. DCCI remains committed to providing platforms that nurture artistic excellence and innovation in Irish craft, and we look forward to seeing the impact of Olwen’s work in the future.
Adding to this, judge, Katharine Maurer said: “Olwen Bourke encompasses everything the RDS looks for in the recipient of the Branchardiere Lace Award – her work is innovative, beautifully crafted and has the potential to put Irish Lacemaking at the forefront of contemporary culture in Ireland and internationally. Her garments combine heritage lace patterns with her own original designs, enriching and reinvigorating the tradition. By commissioning skilled practitioners as well as making her own pieces, she is actively supporting the craft and makers and, crucially, contributing to the continuation and growth of Irish lacemaking in the future.”
The lace bursary is named after Eleonore Riego de la Branchardière. Renowned for her 72 ground-breaking books on needlecraft, Eleonore played a pivotal role in revolutionising the global lace industry and exerted a significant influence on Victorian-era fashion. her father from France — Eleonore seamlessly integrated the cultural richness of both backgrounds, facilitating her effortless assimilation into Victorian society. She became a needlework star, and her patterns were used by Irish women to create the in-demand fashion for English ladies. The RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary, in recognition of Eleonore’s contributions, aims to celebrate the spirit of innovation and resilience in the field of needlework.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, DCCI, 083 023 8743 or email [email protected]
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About Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for craft and design in Ireland, we support designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of craft and design. DCCI’s activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 64 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients. www.dcci.ie @dccireland
