The valuable experience I gained as a circular sustainable designer while travelling with my Irish fashion label, AOIFE ®, was instrumental in my brand and business growth. We were honoured to showcase at Premiere Classe in Paris, chosen for Coterie in New York, and CIFF in Denmark. Additionally, we were selected by the Crown Estate in London for a conscious pop-up, and our Irish fashion brand was featured in a six-month sustainable exhibition at the Museum of MODA Atlanta in the United States called “Full Circle – Design Without End “.

Our growth may not have happened without these travel opportunities, but not every Irish brand, especially emerging brands, has the means to travel. We are but a small country with 5.2 million people, compared to our fashion counterparts of 66.9 million people in the UK, 333.3 million people in the states, 67.9 in France, 58.94 in Italy, 4.6 billion in Asia – however, there is hope because if Denmark can make its mark in the world of sustainable fashion with a 5.9 million a population, why not Ireland?

Experiencing the creativity of sustainable brands abroad—the antidotes to fast fashion—has opened my eyes to the importance of reshaping the bond between brands and consumers. The unique experience of physically interacting with a product to get to know a brand, meeting the ambassador in person, and snapping a selfie with the designer is truly priceless and something to look forward to!

Amid the fast fashion craze, your support as a fashion enthusiast, stylist, designer, retailer, creative council, or potential investor is crucial. Your role in creating a sustainable fashion sector isn’t just a passing trend but necessary. This means we all need to work together and learn from each other. Embracing our global connections will be super important in guiding the industry towards sustainability for future generations. Your backing is not just appreciated; it’s integral to our cause.

The DIFW: Dublin Independent Fashion Week, a unique platform in its second year, celebrates Irish design with a focus on sustainability and an inclusive approach to contemporary Irish fashion.

Its diverse range of design events, from Fade Street Studios to the main design showroom event at Smock Alley in the heart of Dublin city, sets it apart. DIFW is an independent response to the lack of an official Fashion Week in Ireland and a unique opportunity to experience Irish quality fashion, design, and sustainability in action.

Agile thinking has prompted this homegrown Irish DIFW platform to make a significant impact on the fashion world by showcasing cool, innovative modern brands, unique niche brands, up-and-coming conscious designers, heritage craft makers with re-emergence of fashion manufacturing, reversing a trend of decades of decline and boundary-pushing artists and creatives. It’s a real privilege to be part of this creative community at AOIFE ®, to support and feature at their focus fashion event in the two-day Irish design showroom and pop-up in the Banquet Hall of Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, on November 15th and 16th.

Not only will you get to experience innovation creations, but the committee of 7 Irish designers, Laoise Carey, Aisling Duffy, Ríon Hannora, Mihai Mar, Sarah O’Neill, Megan McGuigan and Sarah Carroll Kelly, have a jam-packed wealth of fashion activities scheduled, offering engaging and immersive experiences that fit around consumers lives.

This pop-up is no doubt revolutionising the modern sustainable retail experience. Even the designer’s displays have adopted eco-friendly practices, and did I mention it’s in Dublin? So, for conscious, savvy, like-minded, and sustainable commuters, there is less carbon footprint as you don’t have to travel abroad! If you travel within Ireland, many gather in commuting groups to it! DIFW is not just a fashion event; it’s a movement that shapes the future of fashion.

The independent fashion week in Dublin is a move that triggers the opportunity to develop a new environment for fashion innovation and offer a new destination for investment in the fashion business in Ireland.

Bringing a cluster of Irish design talent to the forefront, showcasing quality sustainable brands, and supporting this event will mean designers will feel valued, a space where brands and businesses don’t self-serve or compete to out-innovate each other; instead, where they collaborate to turn heads, all over the world.

This is not just a fashion week; it’s a community of like-minded individuals working towards a common goal. Hopefully, the fashion cities of Paris, Milan, New York and London will come to us, and our creative talent of young fashion and accessory designers won’t have to leave the country for better opportunities, as they do in their drones year after year! We must understand the role of creative industries in Ireland in driving economic growth- the scale, scope, and potential of Ireland’s fashion sector has excellent potential at home to thrive, given opportunities and the right environment on our gorgeous Emerald Isle!

Start planning your wish list before you attend and find the social media accounts for all brands showcasing below…

@alana_conlon_, @alicehalliday, @aoifelifestyle, @august_night.ie, @carolineduffydesigns, @ejaygriffin, @emeraldandwax, @jenniferslatterytextiles, @mnw_design, @nimiiny, @nobledaughters, @lady_langan, @ciaraeganjewellery, @fiveoneseveneight, @jaf.design, @liddlebrezlin, @martindolan, @niamhmsaunders, @rionhannora, @seekingjudy, @the_zerowaster, @mii_haii, @laoisecareystudio, @aisling_phelan and @aislingduffystudio. 

Thanks to the Design Craft Council of Ireland for supporting Dublin Independent Fashion Week 2024.