Ireland is about to take its place on the international style stage. This October, Ireland will host its first ever Fashion Week, a landmark event that promises to shine a spotlight on the very best of Irish creativity.
For years, Irish designers have shown off their talent in London, Paris, and New York, and now for the first time, they have the chance to shine on home soil.
From catwalk shows, cutting–edge collections and a celebration of Irish style, this Fashion Week is set to be an amazing historic event – and here is everything you need to know!
What to expect
Ireland’s debut Fashion Week promises a full five-day celebration of Irish talent, kicking off on October 5th. The event will take place across Ireland, with key events in iconic Dublin City centre spaces and in Connemara Galway.
One well-known location is the Rotunda of Dublin City Hall which will host the closing show by Paul Costello. This blend of historic locations with modern design will create a stage that is both chic and distinctly Irish.
Founder of the event, Ashley McDonnell, says attendees can anticipate a jam-packed week of catwalk shows featuring the most celebrated names in Irish design, along with community events and month-long exhibitions. This is set to be an unforgettable week of depth, diversity, and creativity.
The week will cater to both industry insiders and fashion fanatics. While some are exclusive events, there will be unique opportunities for fashion enthusiasts to experience the excitement firsthand, with talks and collections on display to the public.
For those following from home, there will be extensive media coverage and endless street style inspiration, with photographers capturing the action and all the latest looks. Expect bold colours and innovative designs.
Irish designers in the spotlight
The designers taking part in the week include, Paul Costello, Aoife McNamara, Rashiid, Bold Wolf and Sasha Donnellan. These amazing designers will stand alongside, graduate design students who will have the chance to showcase their work in a grad fashion show.
There will also be an Irish roots collection that shows off style from the likes of Avoca, Helen Steele and many more, along with showcases of sportswear that have a touch of our culture.
The chance for these designers to show their creativity on home soil is hugely important. Ashley McDonnell says it will be like no other Fashion Week from before. With no earlier legacy of any events like this, it will look at Ireland historical links to fashion and the role that we play in creating waves for the industry in years to come.
Why it matters for Irish arts and culture
Ireland is already renowned across the world for our arts. From incredible Irish actors, literature geniuses, and a thriving musical artist, it will be a fantastic chance to show some love to our designers. By drawing worldwide designers, international press and buyers to Ireland, it will place us strongly on the global style map, while creating new opportunities for not just the designer but economically growth in tourism and inspire local talent.
This event will be more than just glitz and glamour but represents a huge turning point for Irish artist. The Irish talent has done us so proud over the years on the international style stage, but this week finally gives them a chance to shine at home, with an Irish audience that understands the cultural richness behind their craft.
More than anything else, this is a moment of pride. A real chance to celebrate and apricate Irish identity, and the extraordinary creation done by our own homegrown designers. It connects modern takes with deep-rooted tradition. This is more than just a showcase – it is a huge statement that Ireland is more than to take our place among the world’s leading fashion capitals.
Words by Emily Molloy
