About christine murphy

Christine Murphy is the founder and Creative Director of Urban Aran. However, before becoming a fashion designer, she worked in luxury hospitality management for over 20 years. Living in Waterford, she has been in contact with Ireland’s biggest open-air gallery every day.

In 2018, having become pregnant with her second daughter, Christine decided it was time for a career change, and she would embrace her passion for fashion, and more specifically knitwear. Through a flexible learning course at Limerick College of Art and Design, Christine delved into the art of deconstructing Aran stitching techniques.

Combining her admiration for Aran stitches and a deep-rooted connection to street art and admiration of professional street murals, Christine made her first slow-made fashion collection and started Urban Aran.

In Christine’s own words, “Urban reflects my deep appreciation for urban landscapes. From cityscapes to peeling paint on walls, these elements inspire my drawings and designs. Urban Aran is a blend of colorful wall mural close-ups and meticulously crafted Aran stitchwork using state-of-the-art jacquard knitting techniques.”

While Christine’s previous career in luxury hospitality management may seem unrelated, it played a pivotal role in honing her eye for design and nurturing her love for fabric, yarn, and textiles. 

Urban Aran is more than just a fashion brand; it’s a testament to Christine Murphy’s unwavering passion. Bridging urban inspiration with traditional craftsmanship, each piece is a meticulously crafted, slow-made fashion statement that captures the essence of modernity and heritage in a captivating blend.