Evan O’Toole

For the Wounded is a menswear collection exploring themes of resilience, identity, and historical trauma. Rooted in Ireland’s experience of oppression, the collection draws primary inspiration from the Great Hunger and the Easter Rising, two pivotal periods that continue to shape the nation’s cultural memory.

Using exclusively natural materials, sustainability is central to the design process. Garments include natural fabrics, trimmings, vintage textiles, and cotton threads to ensure material integrity and environmental responsibility. The collection's visual imagery is inspired by Maritha Conlon-McKenna’s novel 'Under the Hawthorn Tree' (1990), depicting a family’s survival during the Great Famine. Valuable primary sources for the collection came through research visits to Collins Barracks, the National Museum of Ireland, and Kilmainham Gaol, influencing both the silhouettes and finer details.

For the Wounded speaks to underrepresented and oppressed communities who continue to strive for visibility, voice, and freedom.