In a landmark cultural and fashion alliance, The Armagh Rhymers are proud to announce a bold collaboration with Alexander McQueen debuted at Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 2026.
This exciting project fuses centuries-old Irish mask, straw craft and folklore with McQueen’s signature theatrical luxury.
For nearly fifty years, The Armagh Rhymers have carried Ireland’s living tradition of mumming, rhyming, masked theatre and ritual performance into the 21st century.
Their handcrafted straw and willow masks and costumes made from found objects and recycled fabrics, draw on the ancient cycles of death and rebirth that have animated rural folk customs across Ireland.
Irish-born Seán McGirr is Creative Director of McQueen, articulating McQueen’s core values with an energy that connects the house’s heritage with contemporary culture.
McGirr often draws inspiration from Irish folklore, with the Spring Summer ’25 collection referencing the banshee, a wailing spirit associated with mythology.
For Spring Summer ’26, McQueen has collaborated with The Armagh Rhymers to bring the unique heritage of Irish Mumming together with luxury fashion.
Together, they have created a unique installation with a custom-made straw sculpture forming the centrepiece of the runway show.
Handmade in Armagh by the same craft worker who makes some of The Armagh Rhymers’ famous masks, several pieces were inspired by the traditional Wren Boy straw masks worn in rural Ireland by the groups of musicians and performers who went from house to house.
In collaboration with Cottage Corn Craft Armagh, they also created traditional harvest knots which were used as invitations for over 500 guests from the world of fashion.
The traditional love tokens were all hand made in Armagh by straw craft artist Moira Burns, combining local craft with high fashion.
Guests arriving at McQueen SS26, photos by McQueen
As part of the project, Cottage Corn Craft Armagh and The Armagh Rhymers held a harvest knot workshop in Armagh’s Irish language and cultural hub, Aonach Mhacha, to ensure this unique local craft is preserved for generations to come.
McQueen also filmed The Armagh Rhymers in Murphy’s Orchard Drumcairn on the outskirts of Armagh City and at Tossey’s Cottage Derrynoose, Co. Armagh.
The film formed the social media campaign for the show, fusing images of The Armagh Rhymers with audio from the film The Wickerman; connecting the collection with the natural environment.
On Sunday October 5, The Armagh Rhymers travelled to Paris to attend the McQueen show, enthralling and entertaining guests on arrival with their unique masks and costumes.
Of the collaboration, Dara Valley, co-founder and Artistic Director of The Armagh Rhymers said: “For generations our masked tradition has connected the natural world with the other realm, exploring the connection between myth and reality, life and death; half human, half beast.
“To partner with McQueen is to bring this folklore to life with a creative partner renowned for their theatrical spectacle, and is an incredible opportunity to bring unique and important Irish culture and heritage to a global audience.”
The Rhymers have issued a huge thank you to Cottage Corn Craft Armagh, Straw Craft Ireland, Murphy’s Orchard, Tossey’s Cottage, our community workshop team, mask maker Bob Johnston, and The Armagh Rhymers performers Tom Makem, Annie June Callaghan, Robbie McGleenan, Larry Harte and Gerry Lappin for making this collaboration possible.
Their incredible work has now been immortalised in the world of high fashion and it is wonderful to see local straw craft, mumming and rhyming recognised on this global stage.
Said Armagh Rhymers: “A special thank you to our funders who continue to support our work.”
