Armagh Rhymers hit the Paris Runway

From the traditional Irish apply of mumming to strolling the purple carpet, the Armagh Rhymers had been central to a gathering of delusion and couture for McQueen’s Paris Fashion Week present.

The native theatre and efficiency group have been dedicated to carrying the agricultural customized of “mumming” or “rhyming” into the twenty first century, and in doing so caught the eye of McQueen’s artistic director, Seán McGirr.

Historically, mumming noticed teams costume up in masks and costume, going from home to deal with to carry out poetry, theatre, music and dance.

Often communities used this to mark vital occasions of their calendar.

“When we got the e-mail in July, we weren’t sure it was real. McQueen is such a fashion behemoth, their shows are so beautiful and known for their theatrics,” mentioned programme supervisor Clare Jennings.

“The creative director Seán McGirr is Irish and is very inspired by Irish culture, history and heritage, incorporating Irish folklore and mythology in the shows and in the collections. It just seemed like a really natural fit.”

The group labored with native straw craft employees to supply giant straw maypole toppers which had been then used as a part of the set.

Craft artist Moira Burns hand-made greater than 500 harvest knots.

Traditionally regarded as a love token, the harvest knots had been used as invitations for friends.

Clare, alongside Creative Director and co-founder Dara Vallely and board member and volunteer Anne Hart travelled to take part in McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2026 present in Paris.

“We were in traditional mask and costume on the red carpet as guests arrived,” Clare advised BBC News NI.

“It was a really an amazing opportunity to showcase the local heritage and craft that we do have here, and for a fashion house like McQueen to see the beauty and the value in our local craft.”

Often performing neighborhood teams or visiting colleges, a high fashion present is a departure from the Armagh Rhymers day-to-day schedule.

“When Dara started the Rhymers nearly 50 years ago now, a lot of these ancient traditions were in danger of dying out or being forgotten about, so we feel very lucky that Seán McGirr was so interested in the ancient tradition of mumming and what we do,” Anne added.

Earlier within the Paris Fashion Week schedule, one other designer from the island of Ireland made historical past on this planet of excessive trend.

Johnathan Anderson, who grew up in Magherafelt, County Londonderry unveiled his debut girls’s assortment for Dior.

This comes after the announcement that he could be the primary designer since Christian Dior to lead both the men’s and women’s lines at the French fashion house.

In latest interview with BBC Radio 4 he revealed the affect rising up in Northern Ireland has had on his world view, stating he “would not be where I am today without Northern Ireland” .