A stylish return

There’s a huge buzz amongst Leeside designers and fashionistas alike right now with Ireland Fashion Week set to return for its second outing later this year.

Running from 7-12 October, this year’s outing will feature Ireland’s most celebrated names, emerging designers, and thriving graduates.

With designer intake expanding from 55 to 75 this year, organisers will hope to build upon the great success of last year’s inaugural run which saw more than 2,000 attendees across seven shows.

Looking ahead to this year’s event, Ireland Fashion Week founder Ashley McDonnell said its not just about the shows themselves, but about building for the future of the fashion industry in Ireland.

She said: “Beyond the week of shows themselves, Ireland Fashion Week provides funding as well as crucial learnings, connections, and financing, investing not just in the future of Ireland’s fashion designers but also in the wider fashion ecosystem: stylists, photographers, videographers, models, makeup artists, hair stylists, musicians and more - a celebration of Irelands rich and diverse culture.”

Ireland Fashion Week aims to provide the Irish fashion community with three pillars to success: knowledge, connections, and capital.

The week will feature three flagship shows in breathtaking heritage locations to be confirmed. There will also be two spotlight shows featuring Ireland’s sporting success and rich culture through fashion, a graduate show celebrating students of design, an independent and emerging designers show spotlighting Irish roots, and a showroom experience open to clothing, accessories, millinery, shoes, and much more.

Ashley McDonnell, the visionary behind Ireland Fashion Week, has a deep-rooted passion for Irish design having spent years building bridges between Ireland’s creative talent and the world’s biggest fashion players. Her global network and industry expertise are set to make Ireland Fashion Week a major force in the international fashion calendar.