#FutureEntrepreneurProgramme

‘BMW is really helping to support the growth of my business and in particular around the area of innovation’ – Christine Murphy, Founder of Urban Aran

Urban Aran is the winner of the inaugural BMW Future Entrepreneur Programme, winning the award for Innovation. As part of their prize Urban Aran’s founder, Christine, won the use of a fully electric BMW iX2 for 3-months, and mentoring sessions with BMW Ireland’s MD Helen Westby and Peigin Crowley founder of Ground Skincare.

Urban Aran, based in Waterford and founded by Christine Murphy, is a premium Irish knitwear brand blending traditional Aran techniques with bold, contemporary design. The label focuses on sustainable, locally made garments using 100% fine merino wool.

We caught up with founder Christine in her hometown of Co. Waterford, where she shared insights into her iconic brand.

‘All of our products are made with Purify Merino wool, also we use buttons that are made from 25% vegetable wastage, and our packaging is all recyclable and FSC certified’

Christine founder and creative director of Urban Aran brings together Irish heritage and modern graphic patterns creating innovative knitwear from merino wool. What’s most impressive about Urban Aran is their commitment to sustainability, with all of their garments being created in Ireland since 2023 and using 100% fine merino wool.

Christine’s first inspiration hails from the ‘Walls Project’ in Co. Waterford. A vibrant festival that features large scale mural artwork around Waterford City. This inspiration comes to life through Christine’s bold graphic patterns and colours throughout her designs.

BMW Future Entrepreneur Programme

This initiative reaffirms BMW Ireland’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and supporting the future of Irish enterprise. To find out more on this Programme please visit HERE.

Find out more about Urban Aran on their social media channels, @urbanaran.

You can find out more about what we got up to by following the BMW Ireland Social channels @bmwireland.

Learn more about the fully electric BMW iX2 HERE.