Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2019

2019 marks a special year for the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards as they are celebrating their 10 year Anniversary. The Awards have been a key fashion event in the Irish Scene for the past number of years, and personally, I think that they are a great stepping stone for designers to get their work seen by others in the industry which can be difficult to do especially for those just starting out.

For those who are not aware, the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards were set up by Goldenegg Productions as an awards platform for fashion designers and fashion students, showcasing the highest expression of creativity from the most innovative designers in Ireland. Recognised as a launching pad for Ireland’s most talented designers, the event attracts entries from promising fashion creatives competing for the prestigious Awards.

This year, the ‘Fashion Oscars’, will be taking place on the 14th March 2019 in the stunning Galmont Hotel and Spa, Galway. It is the most wonderful setting for the event, and I cannot wait to see what pieces come down the runway. The tickets are on sale now and you can buy them here.

UPDATE;

And we have the list of finalists! Here are the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2019 finalists:

Accessory Designer of the Year 2019

• Clare O’Connor
• Rita White
• Nicole Jackson

Jewellery Designer of the Year 2019

• Emer Roberts
• Fiona Mulholland
• Emma Jane Champley

Millinery Designer of the Year 2019

• Paul Stafford
• Michelle Kearns
• Ashleigh Myles
• Deb Fanning
• Aoife Harrison

Fashion Designer of the Year 2019

• Katie Ann McGuigan is a London based Irish designer, who has worked for Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs before setting up her own collection.
• Helen Hayes is known for her exquisite occasion wear with intricate cuts and detail and its architectural aesthetic
• Alanagh Clegg for Four Threads, produces a trans-seasonal quality conscious and handcrafted collection in ethically sourced fabrics. Four Threads strives to create ‘collectable’ pieces that layer up or down and evolve through the seasons.
• Amie Egan, creates designs rooted in functional and traditional garments, utility-wear and sportswear. Oversized outerwear garments and a fascination with ‘the weather’ drive the collection.
• Anne Behan for the Aine Collection, uses an eclectic mix of inspirations and ideas to create her contemporary collection that draws on the authenticity, craftsmanship and heritage of Irish knitwear. The collection is stocked in New York, Tokyo, Ottawa and many other cities across the globe.

Ones to Watch

• Colin Burke who has featured in Elle magazine and recently been commissioned to create a special piece for Vogue Contributing Editor Sinead Burke.
• Alla by Alla Sinkevich, a truly challenging but wearable aesthetic that highlights the creativity and craftsmanship of a new generation of Irish based designers.
• Charlotte Lucas offers an elegant, effortless and luxurious Bridal Capsule Collection for Alternative Brides and for Brides to wear on those special occasions around their Wedding.
• Arvydas by Arvydas Zapivalovas is a knitwear collection in exquisite natural yarns – cashmere, merino, cotton – with a clean contemporary aesthetic.