The Irish designer is recognized for her work bridging traditional techniques and contemporary textile innovation
Róisín Pierce has been awarded the Golden Fleece Special Merit Award in the craft and applied arts category, marking the 25th anniversary of one of Ireland’s most respected prizes dedicated to supporting excellence in craftsmanship.
The one-time award recognizes Pierce’s distinctive contribution to contemporary fashion, where traditional Irish textile techniques are reinterpreted through a highly personal and conceptual lens. Her work, which centers on lace, crochet, and smocking, reflects a broader movement within the industry to preserve artisanal knowledge while redefining its place in a modern design context.
Founded by the late Lillias Mitchell, the Golden Fleece Award has long played a key role in nurturing talent across the applied arts in Ireland. The anniversary edition highlights Mitchell’s enduring legacy as both a practitioner and advocate for craft, whose vision continues to support new generations pursuing craftsmanship as a viable and meaningful career path.
Pierce’s practice is rooted in a dialogue between past and present, combining inherited techniques with ongoing experimentation in form and material. Drawing on skills passed down through her family, her collections emphasize slow production and handwork, positioning craft not as heritage alone but as an evolving creative discipline.
Her work is defined by a signature palette of white, used as a canvas to explore texture, volume, and structure. Through intricate detailing — from hand-crocheted florals to smocked surfaces and delicate pintucks — Pierce constructs garments that balance fragility and strength, reflecting a nuanced exploration of femininity. Each piece is produced with a focus on precision and time-intensive processes, often involving multiple generations of artisans.
The Merit Award will support further research and development into Irish textile traditions, including crochet, smocking, and Mountmellick embroidery. These practices, historically associated with women’s craft heritage, are central to Pierce’s work and will form the basis of continued exploration into their contemporary application.
The ceremony took place at the City Assembly House in Dublin, with the 2025 advisory panel including Clíodhna Shaffrey, Stephen O’Connell, Sara Flynn, Joe Hogan, Ciara Hifffey, and Niamh O’Malley — reflecting a cross-disciplinary approach to evaluating craft across visual and applied arts.
Pierce’s recognition comes at a moment when the fashion industry is placing renewed emphasis on craftsmanship, sustainability, and the value of slower production models. As luxury brands and emerging designers alike seek to reconnect with material authenticity, her work positions her within a new generation shaping the future of craft-led fashion.
By bridging tradition and innovation, Pierce’s practice underscores the continued relevance of artisanal techniques in contemporary design, while reinforcing the role of craftsmanship as both cultural heritage and forward-looking creative force.
