Conor O’Brien is a Dublin-based artist and designer working across fashion, handcraft, material culture, writing, and harp performance. Specialising in handcraft heritage technique in both knitwear and woven wearables, Conor’s practice is rooted in a bespoke cottage-industry mentality, in his approach to both artistic concept-led work and commercial work.
At just 20, Conor started his practice in 2021 while studying Fashion Design BA at the National College of Art & Design in Dublin, and started to gain a following before graduating with a First Class Honors in 2023.
Alongside his commercial venture by way of custom hand-knit offerings, Conor established the first in his conceptual works in 2025 with the launch of Phantom Thread, a collection of wearables crafted from fabric remnants and deadstock materials, presenting moving on the body in space at the Royal Society of Antiquaries on Merrion Square in Dublin.
As well as an avid hand-knitter himself, Conor continuously works with and engages fellow artisanal hand-knitters across Ireland to help produce both his commercial and conceptual knitwear, in a grassroots approach to textile and garment creation.