This year's Motorola Dublin Fashion Week includes a fashion show open to the public, writes Deirdre McQuillan.
The sixth Dublin Fashion Week sponsored by Motorola opens on Monday, showcasing the autumn/winter collections from 35 national and international labels and bringing together designers and buyers under one roof. The three-day trade event takes place in the new Radisson Hotel in Golden Lane and is expected to generate sales of more than €1 million, according to organiser Sonia Reynolds.
This season for the first time there will be a collective fashion show open to the public showing spring/summer collections at the CHQ building in the IFSC taking place on Tuesday 26th. Also open to the public during the week will be a series of talks from various industry leaders including designer Peter O'Brien and Stephen Sealey, buying director of Brown Thomas. Details of a new €10,000 bursary open to fashion graduates sponsored by John Rocha will also be announced, and Brown Thomas will select two participating designers to showcase their autumn/winter collections later this year as part of their Mentor Programme for up and coming talent.
The fashion show has an impressive line-up to tempt the city's style conscious with its focus on Irish design. Those taking part in the CHQ event include John Rocha, Deborah Veale, Joanne Hynes, Jennifer Rothwell, Rachel Mackey, Quin & Donnelly, Heather Finn and Unicorn. It's a rare chance to see these collections on a catwalk that isn't a fund-raiser or private event and the €55 ticket includes a champagne reception in advance of the 7.30pm start. Tickets are available from the website.
Other public talks of interest to aspiring fashion designers, buyers and retailers will be one on how to get started in the fashion industry and another from Uwe Herzstein, a well-known figure in the model agency business who now works with FM Model Agency in London. Herzstein, who represented among others Naomi Campbell, Mischa Barton, Jasmine Guinness and Jade Jagger, will give an insider's view of the industry. Talks are at 1pm and 6pm at the Radisson Hotel, Golden Lane. Tickets, €5 at the door.
For details see www.dublinfashionweek.com