The STRAND range captures the beauty of traditional Irish vernacular wear to create a light-weight, multi-functional wardrobe. This modern lifestyle clothing blends fashion style with the functionality of sportswear. An ageless, sophisticated collection co-ordinating different fabric weights, proportions and colours.

Jane McCann, internationally recognised as an innovator in sportswear design, has re-visited the history of work-wear in the west of Ireland, taking inspiration from the archive of artisan clothing held by The Museum of Country Life in County Mayo. From here and other sources she has identified and refined the design details of traditional clothing combining them with natural colours and textures reminiscent of the Irish landscape and beaches.

The result is a new range of lifestyle clothing that blends fashion with the comfort and functionality of active wear. This exciting ‘Technical Recreational Apparel’, combining easy-care fabrics, proportions and colours, is designed to suit different weather conditions, activities, environments and moods. As a designer Jane McCann transfers sportswear attributes to everyday clothing that:

• Substitutes heavy, traditional cloth with modern fibre mixes.
• Provides cutting for movement and comfort.
• Offers optional layers to adapt to different seasons and environments.
• Addresses the needs of an inclusive age group and size range.
• Provides a classic style with a twist that is suited to a modern lifestyle.
• Satisfies the increasing demands of the 24 hour clock.

The name STRAND, with its various meanings, conjures up both a link to fibres and yarns as well as an image of a typical signpost in the sand hills in the West of Ireland guiding one to rolling surf and the patterns in the sand, pebbles shells, rock pools, flotsam and jetsam left by the last tide. The natural colours and textures found in the Irish landscape provide an endless source of inspiration for fibre and fabric selection and colour harmonies. The ‘TRA’ element within the brand name means ‘strand’ in the Irish language and is used here in the context of Technical Recreational Apparel.
Jane McCann originally trained at Belfast School of Art and the Royal College of Art recently won the Sir Misha Black Award for Innovation in Design Education. She has built an international reputation for her knowledge functional fabrics and clothing exploiting innovative application of technical textiles and new garment manufacturing processes.

For further information contact STRAND by JANE MCCANN
Email : info@strandbyjanemccann.co.uk
Web: www. strandbyjanemccann.co.uk