First-ever Irish Fashion Week to kick off in October

Ashley McDonnell has founded the first-ever Irish Fashion Week, set for October 6-10.

There will be a total of seven shows, highlighting celebrated designers, emerging names in fashion, Irish culture and students of design. Five events will also be hosted, including a month-long exhibition, community building, two fashion dinners and an afterparty. Additionally, one million euros will be granted in support for Irish designers.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend. Applications for designers open on April 23.

"It's going to be less about bringing in media and buyers, and it's going to be more focused on community, education, giving a platform to people,” said McDonnell. “It won't just be fashion shows. It'll be events, it'll be talks, it'll be exhibitions. It'll be looking into what is Ireland's history with fashion and what does fashion mean for Ireland and what role will we play in the industry in the years to come."

McDonnell has envisioned Irish Fashion Week coming to life for a long time now. She’s known for being an entrepreneur and founder of the podcast Tech Powered Luxury.

“The idea to create a nationwide Ireland Fashion Week came from a realisation that Irish fashion designers were lacking both the platform and the funding to showcase across the country,” she said. “By creating an entity dedicated to producing events and experiences around the country, we’re now in a position to bring a world-class fashion week to the island and help brands with the funding of their shows, subsiding selected designers and offering incredible additional support."

Designers will be able to apply here.