Lorna Burton is an Irish designer with an international sensibility and an ethical outlook. Fascinated by colour and texture from an early age, the Bray native honed her design skills through painting and textile experimentation. On completion of her Higher Diploma in Fashion Design, Lorna studied at the West Wales School of the Arts and later at the London College of Fashion, finetuning her talent and techniques. Specialising in accessories and handbag construction, her collections are sophisticated and bold, and made for those who like to make a statement.

As a brand CoraLlei champions both style and substance. By virtue of its design philosophy and creative approach it is collectable, to be cherished in the long term. However, it also reflects modern lifestyle in a way that is contemporary but never faddish. With great attention to both technical and tactile details, Lorna creates timeless piece, describing her style as “classic, novel and ornate”. Conscious of the environmental and social impact of her designs, Lorna Burton’s CoraLlei emphasizes ethics and sustainability. She exclusively uses sustainable fabrics, packaging, textiles and manufacturing techniques where possible.

Lorna’s ethical focus also affects her project choice. She produced an up-cycled collection for Oxfam Ireland in 2009; deconstructing damaged vintage leather jackets and creating a capsule handbag collection for showcase in store. Her hard work has been recognized. She was been a finalist for Irish Accessory Designer of the Year in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Having worked with Mulberry and the Italian Designer Orsola de Castro, Lorna has observed master designers up close. She also quotes Stella McCartney as a huge inspiration. She says: “primarily due to her true sense of ethical fashion and how, despite pressures from the industry, she has never faltered on her beliefs and simply continued to shine.”

Burton takes inspiration from her surroundings, explaining “architecture never escapes me. The palace of Versailles captivated my mind at first glance and it is that world of monumental beauty which has become the foundation for CoraLlei collections ever since.”

This outlook feeds into her techniques, as Lorna loves “the transformation from pen drawing to 3D model”. She adds: ”The mathematics of constructing plans by hand and seeing them physically come to life are the processes that truly excite me.” With appearances on Xpose and TwoTube further raising her profile CoraLlei is now sold in The Design Centre, Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin. You can find the full collection at corallei.com