Style mavens: Take note of these exciting shows and talks taking place soon
Dublin Independent Fashion Week is returning for its second year with a whole new format and expanded lineup of events.
It is promising visitors an immersive experience including panel discussions, sculpture, art, live model presentations and fashion shows, featuring new, upcoming and exciting Irish designers you need to know about.
Solstice by Seeking Judy
One such designer is Megan McGuigan. A fashion design graduate from NCAD, Megan studied in LCI Barcelona and is currently based in George’s St Arcade, Dublin. Seeking Judy started originally as a school project, and after graduating college in 2019, she decided to make clothing and accessories under the same name again.
Having already appeared in Vogue Magazine four times, her latest project Solstice by Seeking Judy is a luxury knitwear line with one of a kind hand-knitted pieces, made exclusively from deadstock, Irish spun wool (Donegal Yarn), or Irish woven wool (Magees 1866). She will be showcasing the collection on 11 November in an event described as a ‘multi-sensory show yet to be experienced on the island.’
Inspired by the mythology and folktales of the Irish landscape and the ‘The Sidhe’ – fairy people, landscapes, rockforms, bogs and pagan people – Solstice by Seeking Judy embodies the sustainable ethos of its designer who is committed to creating pieces which have no negative environmental impact.
McGuigan was originally taught to knit by her grandmother who made Aran jumpers and sent them to America. Continuing this tradition has always connected the designer to her heritage and ancestors and she sees it as a way to preserve and pass on stories of families, cultures and traditions.
She says: “We need to return to this act of storytelling through clothing rather than seeing our designs as mere products, fit only for meaningless consumption.”
You can get tickets to Megan’s event here or learn more about her work at seekingjudy.com.
Róisín Gartland: Practice, Process, Collaboration and Commission
Another not-to-be-missed opportunity is the chance to visit Róisín Gartland’s studios between 11 – 14 November as part of DCCI’s Design Week where visitors can view her incredible costume collections and see the imagery and inspiration involved in their creation.
Róisín Gartland is an interdisciplinary artist and Ireland’s leading leather specialist. Working for more than four decades, her practice is synonymous with innovation and craftsmanship, and is an exquisite blend of art, design and fashion. Her work is held in several public and private collections including the National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts & History, U2 and Absolut.
In addition to viewing the collections and working studio, the award-winning designer hopes to stimulate visitors’ imaginations with an array of small pre-cut shapes in various types of leather. Small take-away tokens may be made and adapted in myriad ways from these pre-cut shapes while at the same time, gaining an understanding and appreciation of a very broad spectrum of material and surface finishes. Get your tickets here.
Gartland will also close out the Design Week celebrations with a talk on Friday, 15 November at 3pm – Practice, Process, Collaboration and Commission. There will also be an opportunity to purchase a small selection of non-commercial, one off and unique pieces as well as a selection of small gifting items.
Admission to this talk is free but you can reserve your place here.
The Art of Styling: Irish Design in Focus
Lovers of fashion, styling and Irish design won’t want to miss this excellent event taking place on 13 November at 6pm.
The brainchild of visual artist and producer Zeda the Architect, the event will highlight the stylist’s role in promoting and advancing Irish fashion and feature panel talks with a diverse lineup of both established stylists and people integral to the Irish fashion industry. They will share what they’ve learned from their personal career journeys, challenges, and strategies for success, giving aspiring stylists practical advice on business acumen, industry trends, and creative inspiration.
A mini showcase of Irish designers, including Aoife McNamara, Colin Horgan and Siobhán Daly, will spotlight innovative national talent, allowing attendees to discover and engage with Ireland’s vibrant fashion scene.
Click here to reserve your free tickets.
