Áine King
Contact: ainekingdesign@gmail.com
University/School: Limerick School of Art and Design
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About me
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About me _____
I'm Áine King, a sustainable sportswear designer from Ireland, based in Amsterdam. My work centers on creating performance wear for women in outdoor sports, with a particular focus on water sports and the Irish coastline.
My graduate collection, wet.net, addressed the lack of properly fitting women's wetsuits by designing technical surfwear using repurposed fishing rope - combining hyper-feminine silhouettes with functional protection for cold water environments. This project stemmed from years of surfing Ireland's south coast in ill-fitting men's wetsuits, driving me to create solutions that honor both form and function. My technical process spans CLO 3D, digital pattern drafting using Gerber Lectra, digital flat drawings using the adobe suite and sustainable construction methods. Living actively through surfing, snowboarding, swimming, and hiking directly informs my design decisions - I create from firsthand experience of what the body needs in motion and in nature. My work challenges the industry's environmental negligence while proving that sustainable materials and technical innovation can coexist without compromise.
Inspiration
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Inspiration _____
Designing functional feminine sportswear for women who move fearlessly
I'm inspired by the intersection of coastal environments, women's empowerment in outdoor sports, and circular design practices. The Haenyeo female divers of Jeju Island particularly influenced wet.net—their resourcefulness and use of repurposed objects for diving sparked my exploration of fishing rope as a sustainable material. The frustration of being underserved as a female surfer in cold water drives my mission to create inclusive, functional sportswear. I'm motivated by the challenge of transforming waste materials into beautiful, performance-driven garments that protect wearers from harsh environments while minimizing environmental impact. The contrast between worn and new, repurposed and intended, feminine and functional continues to shape my aesthetic—I believe technical sportswear can honor the female form while delivering uncompromising performance.
My work
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My work _____
“I design for women who refuse to choose between function and femininity in outdoor sports - proving that technical innovation and sustainable practice can create clothing that performs as beautifully as it looks.”
