Engulfed couture collection: A collaboration of heritage and sustainability
By: Ryanne McIsaac
Celebrating his Newfoundland roots, Richard Brophy brings his creativity and passion to his latest project, Engulfed.
Brophy, a graduate of the Textile & Apparel Design program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA), describes his latest exhibition as a mix of work from several talented artists.
“Engulfed is a collaborative couture collection,” he said. “Composed by 19 artists, predominantly from Newfoundland and Labrador. The collection was led under creative direction by myself and fellow Montreal designer Marie-Joelle LeBlanc.”
Originally from Conception Bay South, Brophy explains that Engulfed was created using various traditional heritage crafts of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We wanted to celebrate Newfoundland’s rich craft and cultural history and its thriving craft community,” he said. “By promoting our local artists and craftspeople, this collection has helped bridge sustainable practices within the Canadian fashion industry while reinforcing the importance of local talent in fashion.”
Brophy, LeBlanc, and the artists worked on the project for more than two years, creating each piece by hand using natural fibres, dyes, and recycled and repurposed materials.
“Engulfed was launched on the runway during Montreal Fashion Week 2024 at the Montreal Art Centre and Museum,” he explained. “The collection was then hosted in the gallery at the art centre for the duration of Fashion Week.”
After graduating from CNA, Brophy moved to Montreal and furthered his education in fashion design at Collège LaSalle. He is now the head of the design department for a renowned Montreal menswear brand.
“Fashion is an ever-changing and evolving industry, so each day is a new creative challenge,” he said. “What keeps me grounded is my ability to dive into my art. I always reference my artist roots in couture and fibre arts. This keeps the creativity flowing and having that outlet to create on the side opens so much scope for creative thinking.”
Although he has lived in Montreal for the past 14 years, Brophy says his trips to his home province remain special and are often reflected in his work.
“The main source of inspiration for me is nature, particularly the natural land and seascape of Newfoundland and Labrador,” he said. “When I visit home, I spend countless hours beachcombing, hiking and soaking in all the beauty around me. It recharges me, and I capture each scene in my mind like a bank of images to draw inspiration from.
“I have a great love for history and fine art. There are often subtle messages within my work alluding to historical and cultural significance.”
Expanding on his creative process, Brophy adds, “I love to work with natural fibres and textiles. There’s a connection to the material and the process of creating it that ignites something special in me. I often work with natural dyes. The endless possibilities and outcomes drive a creative force within me. The alchemy and science of it are steeped in tradition, with skills handed down by past mentors.”
To thine own self be true
In discussing the balance of creativity and professionalism, Brophy said it’s important to always be passionate about what you do.
“If you truly love what you do and have passion, the job will never feel like work,” he said. “I’ve always known fashion and the arts were my calling. I’ve learned how to marry both worlds of industry and artistry. I never lost sight of my end goal and have built my whole professional career with that in mind.”
For aspiring artists, Brophy recommends having passion projects.
“Keep yourself stimulated, and never let someone tell you that you can’t do it because they couldn’t succeed,” he said. “The fashion industry, as glamorous as it is, has a dark side and an ugliness under the surface. Knowing how to navigate through it will keep you as a solid lighthouse in the storm.”
Engulfed’s next journey will be an exhibition at the Craft Council Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador in April 2025. The collection will finish its national gallery tour with a three-month exhibition at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte, Ont., in 2027.
For more information and event details, visit https://engulfed-englouti.com.
For more information about textile studies at CNA, visit Textile & Apparel Design-College of the North Atlantic.
