An edgy ethical alliance

Not many Irish sheep farmers become creative directors of international luxury brands, but Sharon Wauchob of Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone is an exception. Based in Paris, and known for her luxurious, edgy clothes, Wauchob has become the new creative director of Edun, the socially conscious label founded in 2005 by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson.

Last May, LVMH took a 49 per cent stake in Edun, the first step by a major international brand into the growing ecological/ethical market, giving Edun access to its powerful management and production resources. Wauchob, who recently became a mother, is one of the few independent female designer in Paris, where she presents collections twice a year. Having trained in London, she worked as a designer with Louis Vuitton in Paris in 1993 before setting up on her own five years later. She’ll continue to develop her own label, along with her new role at Edun, where she will work closely with Ali Hewson. “I want to make Edun interesting and accessible,” she says. Watch out for her debut collection in Spring 2011.