Life After Fashion College: What Comes Next for Grafton’s Rising Designers?

By: Evelyn Rouiller, Managing Director of Grafton Academy of Fashion Design

There’s a particular kind of energy that fills the studios at Grafton Academy of Fashion Design in the final stretch of the academic year.

It’s a mix of anticipation, pressure and excitement, all centred around one question: what happens next?

Unlike more traditional career paths, fashion doesn’t offer a single, clearly defined route after graduation. Instead, students step into a world filled with possibilities – couture, ready-to-wear, menswear, tailoring, costume design, and beyond. Each student leaves with a different vision, shaped by their skills, interests, and ambitions.
At Grafton, individuality is everything. No two students follow the same path, and that diversity is what makes the journey beyond college so compelling.

Reinventing Materials: A Graduate’s Perspective

Recent graduate Alocoque Daly has already begun carving out a distinctive space for herself. Her graduate collection stood out not just for its design, but for its concept – transforming discarded boat sails into sculptural couture garments.
The sails, often destined for landfill, became the foundation for something entirely new. The result was a collection that felt both innovative and deeply personal, inspired by her own connection to sailing.
Her work reflects a growing movement within fashion: sustainability with substance. Rather than treating eco-conscious design as a limitation, Alocoque uses it as a creative driver.
Her participation in Ireland Fashion Week 2025 proved to be a turning point. What began as a showcase quickly evolved into opportunity, with interest from clients looking to commission one-of-a-kind pieces.
“It made the idea of designing professionally feel real,” she has said.
Now, she is exploring made-to-order couture, combining craftsmanship with sustainable materials. Alongside this, she holds a personal ambition – to design a look for her cousin, Oscar winner, Jessie Buckley. With creativity clearly running in the family, it’s a dream that doesn’t feel out of reach.

On the Brink: The Final-Year Designers

For students graduating this year, the transition into the industry feels immediate and intense.
Ciaran Buggle, a couture designer, is one such student ready to take that leap. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and fearless approach to pattern making, his work reflects both technical precision and creative confidence.
His goal is firmly set on London, where he hopes to work within a couture house. It’s an ambitious move, but one that aligns perfectly with his skillset.
Ciaran’s designs demonstrate patience and discipline – qualities essential in the world of couture. His understanding of structure and silhouette suggests a designer who is not only prepared for the industry, but capable of standing out within it.
There’s a quiet certainty about his trajectory. While the fashion world is notoriously competitive, he appears ready to meet that challenge head-on.
Between Runway and Gallery
Not every designer leaves college with a fixed plan, and for some, that openness becomes a strength.
Cornelia McNamara represents a more experimental approach to fashion. Her work blends techniques such as freehand embroidery and felting with an avant-garde sensibility, resulting in pieces that feel equally suited to the runway as to a gallery space.
Her strength lies in her deep understanding of materials. Rather than simply designing garments, she explores what textiles can do – how they can be shaped, manipulated, and transformed. The result is work that feels tactile and expressive, often blurring the line between fashion and art.
For Cornelia, the future remains open-ended. She is considering multiple directions, from traditional fashion pathways to more conceptual, art-led spaces.
In an industry that often demands certainty, her willingness to explore stands out. It suggests a designer more interested in evolution than immediate definition—and that can be a powerful place to start.

Ciaran Buggle
Instagram @ciaranbuggle

Starting early: The Next Generation

While final-year students prepare to graduate, some younger designers are already gaining valuable experience.
Second-year student Halle Donnelly Mahon is a clear example of this drive.
Determined and proactive, she has already secured an internship with Richard Quinn in London – an achievement that offers rare insight into the workings of a high-profile fashion house.
In addition, she has gained experience working with tailors ‘Cad & The Dandy’ on Savile Row, London, immersing herself in the traditions of precision tailoring, and has another summer position lined up with them.
These opportunities have given her a strong foundation, combining contemporary fashion experience with classic craftsmanship.
Halle’s approach reflects a broader shift among students – an understanding that building a career in fashion often begins long before graduation. By seeking out opportunities early, she is already shaping her future in a meaningful way.

Alacoque Daly
instagram @alacoque.ie

A World of Possibilities

What connects these students is not a shared destination, but a shared openness to possibility. The fashion industry is vast, encompassing a wide range of roles and disciplines.
Some graduates will move into established fashion houses, developing their skills within structured environments. Others will pursue independent paths, launching their own labels or working on a freelance basis.
There are also opportunities beyond design itself – styling, textile innovation, fashion communication, and education all offer viable and exciting careers. At Grafton, students are encouraged to explore these options rather than feel confined by expectation.
“Every student is different,” is a sentiment often echoed by staff. The goal is not to produce identical designers, but to support individuals in finding their own direction.

Halle Donnelly Mahon
Instagram @halle_donnellymahon

From College to Industry

The shift from education to professional life is not always easy. College provides structure, guidance, and constant feedback – elements that can feel suddenly absent after graduation.
Entering the industry requires independence, resilience, and adaptability. It also requires confidence – the ability to trust one’s instincts and creative voice. However, this transition also brings freedom. Without the constraints of coursework or deadlines, graduates have the opportunity to define their own pace and priorities.
Industry events, internships, and networking opportunities play a crucial role during this stage. Platforms like Ireland Fashion Week allow emerging designers to showcase their work, connect with professionals, and gain visibility. For many, these experiences mark the beginning of their professional journey.

Corneila McNamara
Instagram: @cu.mara.ie

The Importance of Craft

One of the defining features of Grafton students is their commitment to craftsmanship.
In a fast-paced industry often dominated by trends, the emphasis on technical skill – pattern making, tailoring, and textile work – remains essential.
Designers like Ciaran Buggle highlight the enduring value of precision and discipline. Meanwhile, Cornelia McNamara’s work demonstrates how traditional techniques can be reimagined in new and unexpected ways.
Craft is more than a skill – it is a form of expression. It allows designers to communicate ideas, push boundaries, and create work that resonates beyond the surface.

Looking Forward

So, what lies ahead for these students? The answer varies for each of them. Some have clear goals, while others are still exploring their options. But all share a sense of potential and a readiness to engage with the challenges of the industry.
• Alocoque Daly is redefining sustainability through innovative couture.
• Ciaran Buggle is preparing to enter the competitive world of London fashion.
• Cornelia McNamara continues to explore the intersection of art and design.
• Halle Donnelly Mahon is already building an impressive foundation for her future.
Each represents a different stage in the journey, and each offers a glimpse into the many directions a fashion career can take.

Final Thoughts

As the academic year comes to an end, the studios at Grafton Academy will begin to quiet. Projects will be completed, portfolios assembled, and students will step beyond the familiar environment of college life.
But this is not an ending – it’s a beginning.
The world of fashion is constantly evolving, shaped by new ideas, new materials, and new voices. And if these students are any indication, the next generation of designers is more than ready to take part in that evolution.
The question of “what comes next?” may never have a single answer.
But perhaps that’s exactly the point.

• Grafton Academy of Fashion Design 12 Richmond Row Portobello, Dublin 8 D08 F820
Phone number: +353 1 676794
email: info@graftonacademy.com
website: www.graftonacademy.com
Instagram: graftonacademyfashiondesign