Sinéad O’Dwyer’s “Character Studies” Reimagined
In 2025, Sinéad O’Dwyer unveiled her “Character Studies” collection—a compelling exploration of the multifaceted personalities that have shaped her eponymous label’s evolving narrative. What began as a striking campaign centering these emblematic “characters” quickly moved beyond conventional fashion imagery, culminating in a live performance commissioned by the Barbican last November. Now, O’Dwyer brings her vision to the cinematic realm, breathing new life into her muses through a visually arresting short film.
A Performative Collaboration
Choreographed by Grace Nicol and written and directed by Sylvia Suli, the film builds its energy from the performers themselves, reimagining the archetypes that animate O’Dwyer’s creative world. The cast—evoking figures such as school matrons, nannies, and housekeepers—occupy a liminal space where the lines between individual improvisation and collective storytelling blur. The result is a collaboration that is both profoundly intimate and ambitiously expansive, inviting viewers into a new dimension of O’Dwyer’s universe.
“Do Not Touch”: Sensuality in Motion
Entitled “Do Not Touch,” the film translates the tactile intensity of O’Dwyer’s garments into a vivid, visual experience. Blush pinks and saturated oranges pulse against the raw, brutalist contours of London’s Barbican, creating an arresting interplay between body, clothing, and architecture. Through this chromatic and spatial dialogue, the film navigates themes of sexuality, embodiment, and queer erotic expression with both subtlety and audacity.
A Charged Testament to Collaboration
Described in the accompanying press release as a “cacophony of pleasure” and a “charged, collective climax,” “Do Not Touch” is supported by Trans+ on Screen and produced by Helios Blanc. The result is a daring testament to collaborative creation and sexual self-discovery—undoubtedly among O’Dwyer’s most resonant works to date. The film captures the sense of freedom and exploration that has become O’Dwyer’s signature, further expanding her narrative into uncharted territory.
View stills from the film above and follow Sinéad O’Dwyer’s website for further updates.
What’s Next
Elsewhere, a new exhibition offers an incisive lens on the interior worlds of Gen Z.
Click here to view the full gallery at Hypebae.
