In a very enchanting showcase at Paris Fashion Week, Irish-born Seán McGirr unveiled his sophomore collection for McQueen titling it Banshee. Drawing inspiration from Irish folklore and personal memories. McGirr states, "The banshee is rooted in the history of McQueen, but it’s also a story that I grew up with, so feels deeply personal to me — something I remember my mother talking about in Ireland, describing the cry of this solitary, foreboding figure. For me, she has come to represent something real and potent now. The idea of someone who is feeling and forthright; someone who can be seen as a guiding force." An innovative way to combine storytelling and fashion, while staying focused on a cohesive branding narrative.

McGirr’s homage to McQueen’s iconic Autumn/Winter 1994 collection, Banshee was evident. Yet he reinterpreted those silhouettes through a contemporary lens, re-inventing their spirit while maintaining a deep respect for the past. The result was a powerful exploration of identity and heritage, resonating with both nostalgia and modern sensibility. The show was riddled with anticipation for this young designer to fill the shoes of the previous creative director Sarah Burton. Audiences were astounded and the show was said to have transcended fashion. Clearly only the start of McGirr's McQueen career.

The collection boldly redefines British suiting traditions with its sharp, twisted tailoring and nipped-in jackets. The distinctive T-Bar silhouette emerged as a hallmark of the collection, striking a balance between classicism and modernity. Fabrics played a pivotal role in creating the collection's haunting charm. Translucent silk chiffon flowed gracefully, while intricate cobweb lace added an element of ethereal fragility. The juxtaposition of lightweight materials with rich wool gabardine created a visual feast that felt alive, with garments that moved fluidly as well as the pieces that were anchored to the wearer in meticulous craftsmanship.

The color palette —ivory, silvered gray, and jet black was punctuated by bold bursts of blazing yellow and orange, evoking the complex duality of the Banshee’s passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Accessories in the collection contribute to that same eerie elegance. Silver floral motifs and shimmering metal embellishments danced with each step, enhancing the haunting aesthetic. Long lace dresses paired with towering platform shoes and wool skull masks forged a striking visual identity that merged high fashion with folklore. The runway itself was an artistic installation designed by Tom Scutt, evoking liminal spaces that navigated the tension between classicism and modernity. A steel-plate path emerged from a monolithic structure, creating a surreal environment that heightened the collection's emotional resonance.

Each piece bore the weight of history and memory, reflecting the designer's connection to the stories his mother recounted. In this way, the Banshee became a powerful muse—embodying not just sorrow, but also resilience and guidance. Displayed in the line’s closing look—a glistening bejeweled dress that wrapped around the model in strings of crystal. Fitting like a glove enveloping her as the banshee but personified, a “guiding force.”

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