Photos: German Collins
Lisa Shawgi is a knitwear designer of Irish and Egyptian/Sudanese parentage. She spent most of her childhood in the Sudan before moving to Dublin in 1995, and she often uses the juxtaposition of both cultures as an inspiration for her creations.
She graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 2005 with a BA in Fashion Design. It was here in her final year Lisa discovered her love of knitwear and it’s endless abilities to create her own distinctive style. With this new found passion she went on to swoop three awards for one of her unique knitted creations in the RDS National Crafts Competition.
After leaving NCAD, Lisa went on to work for designers such as Lainey Keogh, and Vera Wang, where she further developed her design and technical skills along with involving herself in the everyday running of the studios.
Lisa Shawgi later devoted all of her efforts in launching her own knitwear label in 2008. Colour and texture are key elements in creating soft, luxurious sensual knitted fabrics and combined with original and innovative designs, Lisa Shawgi produces unique, eye catching contemporary feminine knitwear where attention to detail is essential in giving each creation beautifully finished features.
She will be a part of the soon to come fashion event, ‘From Africa with Love’, in Dublin,an evening of international designs and mixed culture! « My work is a constant journey of self discovery and allows me to keep that connection of where I am from alive » explains the designer.