Fashion designer Richard makes statement in Selfridge’s window

THE Wexford-born fashion designer Richard Malone caused a stir last week when he used a window in the famous London store Selfridge’s to make a case for the repeal of the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution.

Twenty-eight year old Richard from Ardcavan who has been making a name for himself in the fashion world, was due to hold a pop-up display in the window of the iconic store but quickly changed his mind and decided to stage a spontaneous protest against the 8th Amendment which has been in effect in Ireland since 1983, giving a pregnant woman and her unborn child equal right to life.

A referendum on whether to remove the constitutional amendment and pave the way for the Government to legislate for abortion in Ireland, will take place on Friday, May 25.

Wearing a tee-shirt with the words ‘Read, React, Repeal’, the talented Wexfordman who is a graduate of Central St. Martin’s in London, drew slogans and hearts in red on the window of the Oxford Street store which is an institution in London. The messages included ‘Women’s Rights Equal Human Rights’ and ‘Repeal’ and ‘Love’.

The window sparked a reaction among shoppers on the busy street of the capital and a debate on social media. The London branch of the Abortion Rights Campaign said Selfridges halted the installation and asked him to continue on the condition that he did not use the word ‘repeal’ as it was considered too political.

Richard recently wore a ‘Repeal’ tee-shirt while walking down the catwalk at London Fashion Week.

Wexford’s Richard Malone making his point in the window of Selfridge’s store in London’s Oxford St.