Wearing green is not just for St Patrick’s Day: Fashion industry urges retailers to back Irish designers

By Frank Alexander On Mar 10, 2023 64 0

It’s that time of year again, when shop windows nationwide are full of tricolours and 40 shades of green in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day.

owever, the Irish fashion sector wants the annual focus on Irish products to become a year-round thing.

“It is time for Irish retailers to pull on the green jersey,” said Eddie Shanahan, chairperson of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers (CIFD).

He says a swing of 1pc to Irish brands would generate more than €15m of wholesale value, adding that this would “make a significant difference to the growth of Irish fashion brands”.

Such a swing would also result in job creation and help retain Irish-educated designers in Ireland

CIFD was set up as an advocacy and business development organisation supporting professional Irish designers. It has 54 members with skill sets across clothing, jewellery, millinery, accessories and lifestyle products.

Mr Shanahan said: “With the Irish market for apparel estimated at approximately €4bn, and 77pc of Irish consumers saying they are prepared to pay a premium price for locally made and sourced brands, there are only upsides to supporting Irish fashion.”

A Caterina Coyne silver sequinned gown with cut-out back detail and puff sleeves

His figure of 77pc comes from the PWC Pulse survey.

He added: “The impact would also contribute to an improved sustainability profile for fashion consumption in Ireland.

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“This is because independent Irish designers are focused on quality, small production runs, trans-seasonal collections and the resuscitation of what would previously have been considered ‘old season’ material stocks.

Among those showcased was Caterina Coyne, the Galway-born dancer-turned-designer

“Such a swing would also result in job creation and help retain Irish-educated designers in Ireland.”

Thirty-seven members of CIFD yesterday showcased their new spring/summer collections in a 30-minute film. Strong on colour and print, the collections crossed from leisure wear to party wear and occasion wear.

Among those showcased was Caterina Coyne, the Galway-born dancer-turned-designer. Ms Coyne will have a big interest in the Oscars ceremony on Sunday night.

An Cailín Ciúin has been one of the great success stories in a memorable year for Irish film.

Cleona Ní Chrualaoi, producer of the Irish-language movie, and 13-year-old Catherine Clinch, the lead actress, will be dressed by Ms Coyne for the LA event.

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A sea-blue tulle glitter dress with high-low hem and train from Carolyn O’Sullivan’s Not Another White Dress

Ms Coyne opened her ‘Coyne on Sunset’ store in LA last year. In her new spring/summer collection, her floor-sweeping dresses include an asymmetrical polka-dot silk number with puff-sleeve detail (€865). There is also a silver sequinned gown with cut-out back detail (€1,450).

For fans of her work who might prefer a shorter look, her pink taffeta ‘Amy’ mini dress (€360) comes with an additional decorative sequinned top (€245).

Carolyn O’Sulllivan’s supremely romantic sea-blue tulle glitter dress with a high-low hem and train was a real show stopper.

The designer is based in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. She set up her modern, unconventional bridal range called ‘Not Another White Dress’ in autumn 2021.

This season, her pink peony suit in silk jacquard features a cropped tuxedo jacket, matching mini shirt and a cathedral-length train.

Inspired by the colours of the evening sun shimmering on water, she also did a sunset inspired dress in silk organza, silk dupion and silk taffeta to create a luxurious effect.

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