The debut of Ireland Fashion Week is just around the corner, and organizers are making a final call for designers—both emerging talents and established names—to submit their applications and be part of this landmark event in Irish fashion history.
Fashion creatives, this is your moment! Applications close this Friday, May 23, and the clock is ticking. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your work on one of Ireland’s most prestigious platforms for style and innovation.
Each application will be reviewed by a panel of key fashion industry insiders. From this process, 50 to 60 designers will be handpicked to participate in the October showcase—no easy task given the wealth of talent expected to apply.
Participants will be grouped into categories: Flagship, Spotlight, Graduate, Independent, and Emerging. Designers selected will gain invaluable exposure to international media, fashion buyers, cultural influencers, and an expected audience of thousands throughout Ireland.
Set to launch on Monday, October 6, the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week promises to unite domestic and global talent in a dazzling celebration of fashion, identity, and creativity.
This groundbreaking event will include seven spectacular runway shows, featuring Ireland’s most recognized designers alongside rising stars. The lineup includes:
Three Flagship Shows in stunning heritage locations,
Two Spotlight Shows celebrating Irish sports and cultural identity through fashion,
A Graduate Show highlighting student creations, and
A special showcase for Independent and Emerging Designers rooted in Irish heritage.
The fashion celebration doesn’t stop at the runway. Attendees can also enjoy high-profile fashion dinners, as well as a month-long fashion exhibition that promises to immerse visitors in the heart of Irish style and creativity.
At the helm of this exciting initiative is Ashley McDonnell, an Irish powerhouse who brings global experience from brands like Dior, Google, and currently PUIG—the company behind fashion icons such as Charlotte Tilbury and Carolina Herrera.
McDonnell believes that the timing couldn’t be better for Ireland to claim its place on the international fashion stage.
“Timing is everything. I think 10 years ago, we wouldn’t have been ready, but right now it feels like it is the moment,” she told EVOKE.
Ashley credits the rise of digital media and platforms like TikTok for encouraging people to express themselves more boldly through fashion.
“Online media plays such a key role… people are seeing what’s out there and are not afraid to step out of their homes wearing the outfits that they like,” she said.
“Whereas before, you would’ve been absolutely criticised for wearing anything out there… but nothing could stop me.”
Returning to her roots, McDonnell expressed joy at seeing the thriving fashion scene in her native Galway, as well as in Limerick and across the country.
“I’m so happy to be back in Galway and to see all the incredible designers coming out of the county and the rest of the country as well.”
With this monumental event on the horizon, Ireland is set to shine like never before on the global fashion map. Move over New York, Milan, Paris, and London—Ireland is the fashion destination this October.
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