Designer Michael Stewart from County Clare is scheduled to present his Standing Ground collection at the Irish Embassy in Paris on Monday, marking his first appearance on the official haute couture calendar.
The presentation will take place on the opening day of the Paris haute couture shows. Stewart has long aimed to show in Paris, keeping the goal private until now.
His work draws from Ireland's ancient standing stones but avoids direct references, focusing instead on sculptural corsetry and fluid draping. The pieces involve intricate internal beading and custom fittings.
Stewart built his brand through private clients only, rejecting store sales after early years of limited interest. He gained support from London's Fashion East and later won the inaugural Savoir-Faire award from the LVMH Prize in 2024, which helped secure his spot on the couture schedule.
Clients remain anonymous and international, drawn by word of mouth rather than media exposure. Stewart plans to speak more openly now while keeping a low profile afterward.