Ireland Fashion Week: the Top 5 Irish Designers to Watch

By Ruby Corrigan

Photo: Guilherme Resende (@guirtds)

It is undeniable that Ireland is known for many things across the world, whether that be the history, the food, the music scene or even our slang. However, what is so often brushed over is our creative scene, particularly the microcosmic fashion industry in Ireland that in recent years is jumping from strength to strength. Between the 6th and 10th of October, Dublin, Connemara and various locations throughout the midlands played host to some of the best and brightest designers from across the island for Ireland Fashion Week, and in honour of this, I am bringing you the top five Irish fashion designers to watch.

Sorcha Clodagh Design

Instagram: sorchaclodagh_design

Sorcha Brennan (Sorcha Clodagh Design), a recent graduate in fashion with technology at LSAD, made her designer debut in the Graduate Show at Ireland Fashion Week this year. Inspired by the Irish Sea, Brennan’s look consisted of a multi-tonal chiffon skirt paired with an elaborate blue and cream corset featuring an elegant high neck, puffed sleeves and an embroidered claddagh heart on the breast-piece. The designer’s blending of experimental elements with traditional Irish iconography really makes her work really stand out from the crowd, and I guarantee we will be seeing much more from her in the coming months.

Photo: Guilherme Resende (@guirtds)

Amy Frankie Moroney

Instagram: amy.moroney

Without a doubt, Amy Frankie Moroney’s pieces that featured in the ‘Irish Roots’ show at Slane Castle were the talk of the event. The designer’s distorted usage of unconventional materials such as latex to create high contrast pieces of clothing perfectly encapsulated the brief of the show. The layered latex created an almost misty look, highlighting the long and tumultuous history of Ireland, as well as the nation’s murky future during the cost of living crisis and rising levels of emigration from the country. With editorial work for Grazia and 1883 Magazine already under her belt, Amy Frankie Moroney is already a glittering jewel in the Irish fashion industry, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

Photo: Evan Tsapatoras (@evantsapatoras)

Anna Finnis Designs

Instagram:annafinnisdesigns

Joining Sorcha Brennan at the Graduate show was Anna Finnis, a recent graduate from Belfast School of Art. Her look played on the theme of the Irish Sea through a textured sea moss coloured mini dress paired with an oversized navy padded coat that replicates a great wave. Finnis’ signature blend of feminine, fitted couture dresses with oversized, street wear style coats perfectly encapsulate the modern woman, and is certain to make waves in the next season.

Photo: Anastasiia Redko (@_listova)

Sasha Donnellan Studio

Instagram: sashadonnellanstudio

‘Dreamt of in Connemara, Handmade in London’ is Sasha Donnellan’s motto for her creative process, and you can certainly see how this is achieved. Donnellan’s collection for Ireland Fashion Week consisted of an ethereal array of silks, lace and Irish iconography – feminine and coquettish, yet still culturally relevant and driven by her heritage. A piece that really stood out to me was the silk button-backed blouse. The designer’s choice to incorporate cutouts into the front to replicate the shape of a Celtic cross adds both a layer of close to home context to the pieces, as well as creating innovative visual contrast that is eye-catching and fresh. With celebrities such as Emma Neill and Jamie Lee O’Donnell spotted wearing her designs, Donnellan is already a favourite of some of the most stylish Irish women, and I am sure that we will be seeing her pieces all over the country in no time.

Photo: Christian Tierney (@christiantierney)

Oscar Canavan Doyle

Instagram: o.c.d.esigns

The final designer to take Ireland Fashion Week by storm was Oscar Canavan Doyle. Doyle’s contribution to the ‘Irish Sea’ graduate show can most aptly be described as literal. His outfit, titled ‘Fishy Knickers’, is crafted from handmade fish leather processed by the designer himself. What I love about this piece isn’t just the almost mythical, whimsical structure and colouring of the dress, but also how Canavan Doyle takes material that otherwise would have been wasted and creates something beautiful – prioritising sustainability as well as aesthetics.

Photo: Yamila Ape (@yam_photography)

Ultimately, it is undeniable that artistic creativity in Ireland is alive and well. The next generation of Irish designers are set to take the fashion world by storm, and I cannot wait to see what they achieve next.