Irish fashion designer used a Selfridges window display to declare his support for legalising abortion in the country – amid claims the department store ‘halted his installation as it was too political'
- Richard Malone, 26, wrote messages supporting Repeal the 8th campaign
- Selfridges 'asked him to continue on condition he didn't use word repeal'
- Images of the 'powerful' window installation were shared on Twitter
An Irish fashion designer has shown his support for legalising abortion in his country in a takeover of a window at Selfridges.
Richard Malone, 26, wrote messages supporting the Repeal the 8th campaign, as well as women's rights, across the window.
However, the installation was reportedly halted by the department store, which was said to have asked him to continue on the condition that he didn't use the word 'repeal' - as it was deemed 'too political'.
Images of the window installation were shared on Twitter, with many praising the young designer for his 'powerful' work.
Irish fashion designer Richard Malone showed his support for legalising abortion in Ireland in a takeover of a window at Selfridges
Ireland is holding a referendum on abortion at the end of May, which will see citizens asked whether they want to repeal the Eighth Amendment of Ireland's Constitution.
The provision, which makes abortion illegal in all but exceptional circumstances, was inserted in 1983 to enshrine the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child.
Malone has previously expressed his support for repealing the Eighth Amendment, wearing a Repeal T-shirt while taking his bow at London Fashion Week in February.
He donned a 'Read. React. Repeal' T-Shirt on Tuesday as he scrawled messages in red pen on the window at Selfridges.
The designer, 26, wrote messages supporting the Repeal the 8th campaign, as well as women's rights, across the window
Pictures of his installation were shared on Twitter, including by the London-Irish Abortion Rights campaign
Another social media user described the installation as a 'powerful #Repealthe8th protest'
Supporters shared pictures of the installation on Twitter, thanking him for taking action.
The London-Irish Abortion Rights campaign tweeted: 'Irish fashion designer Richard Malone, who was due to hold a luxury pop up in the window of @Selfridges today, chose to run READ, REACT, REPEAL - a protest against the 8th Amendment in Ireland.
'Worth noting that Selfridges halted his installation and asked him to continue on the condition he did not use the word REPEAL as it was deemed too political!'
Another Twitter user commented: 'Irish fashion designer #RichardMalone swapped displaying luxury items in @Selfridges front window today & opted to run this powerful #Repealthe8th protest instead.'
MailOnline has contacted Selfridges for comment.
Malone has previously expressed his support for repealing the Eighth Amendment, wearing a Repeal T-shirt while taking his bow at London Fashion Week in February
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