Ann, as featured in the March issue of The Gloss
The absence of a great Irish fashion fabric shop prompted Flavin to open Texture, which has been in business for two years
A FAMILY AFFAIR: My mum was a dress designer and I studied fashion at the Grafton Academy. After I graduated we worked together for twelve years on our own label, Lorann, from a studio in Dun Laoghaire. We were making about 70 wedding dresses a year, as well as occasionwear.
A LONGSTANDING LOVE: I've always loved fabric. After my Leaving Cert, my dad gave me money to go to London and buy clothes on the high street but I spent it all on beautiful silks in Liberty instead. I was 17. I used one, a pale blue, to make a dress for a wedding in France; I still wear it.THE ITALIAN CONNECTION: I buy fabric for Texture twice a year from a great mill in Bologna. Last year I bought some gorgeous Dolce and Gabbana rose print fabric that sold very well, as well as a few nice Pucci prints. My wishlist is usually bigger than my budget. Many of my customers are 40+ so I always look for fabric with a little stretch that will drape well. Italians are fantastic weavers - even 100 per cent silk or wool will have a little give. I don't always look for natural fabrics either; a lot of polyesters now are fabulous. That's why I don't like ordering from samples - fabric needs to be touched. Texture, 24 Monkstown Crescent, Co. Dublin; www.texture.ie.
