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Higgins praises creativity at craft Showcase

A photo of one of my pieces was in The Irish Times to day (and on the Irish Times website) taken yesterday at The Showcase Fashion Show.

‘PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins yesterday joined the Crafts Council of Ireland in urging people to seize opportunities offered by the booming craft industry. Opening Showcase 2012 – Ireland’s Creative Expo at the RDS, Mr Higgins said “post-hedge funds”people were “once again beginning to value skill and craftsmanship”. He praised the 450 exhibitors at the expo saying they combined traditional designs with “new materials, new applications” in what was “a celebration of creativity”.

Included in the exhibition are emerging and established Irish brands from Tipperary Crystal, to design-led fashion and knitwear, jewellery, gifts and interiors. Some 5,500 buyers are expected to attend the exhibition which runs until Wednesday, with orders expected to be worth in the region of €20 million. It was, the President said, “a tribute to those who refused to be defeated by the economic downturn”.’

My piece is the black dress, you can see it more clearly here.

Read the rest of the article here.

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Sneak Peek for Showcase

Sneak Peek at work from the new photoshoot for Creative Island at Showcase Ireland this January.

‘Showcase, Ireland’s Creative Expo is now the foremost place to discover unique, design-led fashion and knitwear, jewellery, craft, gift and interiors, finds you won’t unearth at any other international show.

Now in its 36th year, the show has gone back to its roots – celebrating the essence of Ireland. Inspired by our landscape and heritage 350 of the country’s leading designers, manufacturers and craftspeople pay homage to our heritage. Visit  Creative Island to meet the artisans exhibiting at the show.’

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Style council: Designers in display of fashion initiative

Model Agneta Mukauskaite wears a pink silk and cashmere cardigan with gold crochet cuff over a turquoise cashmere and lambswool dress with a set of matching scarves by designer Heather Finn (left) at the Loft in the Powerscourt Centre, Dublin, at a fashion show that coincided with a briefing by the Council of Irish Fashion Designers yesterday. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien

DEIRDRE McQUILLAN, Fashion Editor

‘SIXTEEN IRISH fashion designers, members of the recently formed Council of Irish Fashion Designers, yesterday unveiled a small preview of their winter collections in the Loft in the Powerscourt Centre, Dublin, along with a number of forthcoming promotional fashion initiatives.

Eddie Shanahan, chairman and co-founder with designer Eilis Boyle, said the council aimed to be an authoritative voice with State agencies, retailers, the media and other industries. “We are offering a forum for people in the business to explore common problems and opportunities,” he said.

Those showing items from their winter collections ranged from knitters Lucy Downes, Heather Finn and Edmund McNulty with diverse and sophisticated approaches to yarn, to couturier Jen Kelly with his elaborate handmade silk and velvet ballgowns, award-winning Delphine Grandjouan’s bijou lace dresses and Richard Lewis’s signature jerseys. Newcomer Sinéad Doyle fused corsetry and tweed while Emma Kate Manley brought a modern urbanity to studded leather and jersey ensembles. Read More…

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Guaranteed Irish: Cream of the Irish fashion crop

By Bairbre Power
Saturday Aug 27 2011

‘I love the way Irish designers fight back. They just get on with it, dealing with tough trading times by encouraging each other’s creativity and sharing wisdom and contacts…

..Case in point is quirky and affordable knitwear designer Heather Finn from Galway. Her new collection is supremely tactile, with fab pieces in 100pc cashmere and silk. Glorious to touch, Heather’s knitwear delivers welcome pops of colour. The pieces layer up brilliantly, including smart styles for the office and casual cores for weekend looks.’ Read more…

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Project 51 opening this Thursday

Join us between 5pm and 8pm this Thursday (11th of August 2011) for a glass of wine and a sneak preview of Project 51.

‘Project 51 is a design collective / luxury boutique at 51 South William street, with High End Irish Fashion, Jewelery, Millinery and Accessories. Featuring capsule collections, international exhibitions as well as creative cross-disciplinary collaborations.

The consumer will be supporting the Irish Fashion Industry by buying directly from the designers, and appointments can be made to meet designers in the commissioning room in the studios above the boutique.’

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Secret Pop Up Shop in Ranelagh Arts Centre

SECRET POP-UP SHOP
@ RANELAGH ARTS CENTRE

Pop by Ranelagh Arts Centre this weekend for an exciting pop-up shop! Come explore fabulous hand-crafted fashion and jewellery in this creative hub.

Designers Heather Finn, Ali Nash and Ruth Griffin will be on hand with their hand-knitted cashmere, precious jewels and vintage treasures.

Mingle with the makers, sip prosecco and find hidden gems this Friday 8th of July from 6-8pm. Or drop by Saturday 9th of July or Sunday 10th of July 10-6pm.

WHO: Designers Heather Finn, Ali Nash & Ruth Griffin
WHAT: Fashion & Jewellery Pop-up
WHERE: Ranelagh Arts Centre, 26 Ranelagh Main Street, Dublin 6
WHEN:For one weekend only 8th-10th July 2011

www.ranelaghartscentre.org