DIFW: ‘A Real Step in Uniting The Fashion Community Across Ireland’

Dublin Independent Fashion Week is back, bigger and better than ever before, promising an even more exciting experience than its debut last year!

This year’s DIFW will take place from 11–17 November, with events happening across the city. A highlight of the week will be the grand Irish Design Showroom on Saturday, 17 November, which will be completely open to the public.

Here, 26 incredible designers will showcase their collections, accompanied by fantastic performances throughout the day.

We sat down with two of the leading designers, Aisling Duffy and Laoise Carey, organising the week to get insight into the Irish fashion scene and to learn what to expect from DIFW. 

Aisling Duffy runs a small, slow-fashion label, creating handmade clothing from upcycled vintage fabrics. After studying printed textiles at NCAD, she worked in London as a print designer before launching her own brand in 2017.

She returned to Dublin during the pandemic, setting up Aisling Duffy Studio near Capel Street. Since then, Aisling has established a unique brand aesthetic within the Irish fashion community.

Aisling found that social media has been central in her success stating “predominantly most of my customers are actually international and I sell a lot online”.

Laoise Carey graduated from NCAD in fashion design in 2017 and worked for Simone Rocha in London, where she gained the skills that led her to launch her own business in Ireland during the pandemic, using recycled vintage textiles and traditional Irish fabrics like wool and linen in her designs.

“I got stuck here because of Covid and I said I might as well set up a business whilst I’m here at home,” she explains. 

The two discuss their experiences of establishing brands in Ireland and how staying in Ireland, as opposed to London, has positively impacted their business growth. Aisling feels that although the community is smaller, the support is immense and accessing the fashion community in Ireland was far more achievable compared to London.

“Creating the Dublin Independent Fashion Week was a real step in uniting the fashion community across Ireland and highlighting the talents we have to offer,” she says. Laoise adds, “I think most of us designers started on our bedroom floor or in the spare room of our parents’ home, so setting up businesses in Ireland was only natural.”

This is the second year that DIFW has taken place. What began as a fashion weekend to test the waters and gauge demand was clearly a success, as DIFW has now been extended to a week-long occasion.

“It was a huge success, we couldn’t keep up with the amount of people who wanted to be there and be a part of it. That’s what the driving force for this year was, to really open it out and make it a week long schedule,” says Aisling.

Laoise acknowledges the pleasure of finally having a space where the industry can unite and share their love of fashion: “We work so individually all the time, so it’s really nice for us all to meet in Dublin and celebrate the industry.”

You can check out the DIFW schedule here

• Monday: Solstice by Seeking Judy – An avant-garde, wearable art collection from the George’s Arcade-based brand Seeking Judy, known for specialising in Irish knitwear.
• Tuesday: Aisling Duffy Spring/Summer Collection – In collaboration with 5178, a 3D-printed umbrella brand, with performances by Amy Michelle.
• Wednesday: Exclusive Pellador Launch – The first show Pellador has presented as part of a fashion week or showcase.
• Thursday: Wahala – Designer Toby, who specialises in upcycled and reworked clothing, brings a unique perspective to the event, incorporating his talent as a dancer.
• Friday: The Irish Design Showroom will take place in the Banquet Hall at Smock Alley Theatre, featuring 20 Irish brands and six emerging designers. Each brand will have its own space, allowing attendees to experience the designs and visions up close. Friday evening will feature a live model presentation for each brand, exclusive to the press.
• Saturday: Not to be missed, the Irish Design Showroom will open to the public, offering a full day of fabulous Irish design with live music and performances throughout the day. This’ll be a chance to take a glance at all our Irish talents have to offer, chat with the designers, enjoy the music, and possibly purchase a one-of-a-kind handmade Irish design.

Tickets for Saturday and all individual shows throughout the week can be found on Eventbrite or @dublin_ifw’s Instagram.

Words by Cillian Murphy

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• dublin fashion week