The final nine student designs from all over the country, each portraying the show theme of “Enchanted Forest: Hidden Nature”, were unveiled for the Vodafone DIT Fashion Show in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin last Thursday. The overall winner of the student design element will receive a cash prize of €2,500 at this highly anticipated show from celebrity judges Brendan Courtney, Maria Fusco, Bairbre Power, Lou Conlon, Umut Kutluk and Jules Fallon
Tickets for the show in Vicar Street on 3rd April, which is now in its eleventh year and repeatedly gets a full house of 1,000 people, are available to purchase from Eventbrite or in any of the DIT Student Union Shops at a price of €20 (€15 for students). The chosen charity for the Vodafone DIT Fashion Show this year is the Jack & Jill Foundation.
According to Paula Murphy, Vodafone Ireland, “Vodafone is once again proud to support the Vodafone DIT Fashion Show which provides a unique platform for young and aspiring Irish designers to showcase their talents. Irish design continues to influence fashion the world over and it is essential that we nurture, support and encourage young designers.”
The nine shortlisted designs for the Vodafone DIT Fashion Show in Vicar Street Dublin 3rd April are:
1. Limerick School of Art and Design student Sinead Wells from Ashbourne, Co. Meath whose design is modelled by DIT visual merchandising student Alannah Beirne from Naas, Co. Kildare. Entitled “Neither can live while the other survives” Sinead says she was inspired by “The Tale of Three Brothers” taken from the book “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows”. The tale is based in an enchanted forest where the brothers attempt to conquer death by using magic. The weaving of fabrics shows the connection of the three brothers and the weaving of the branches described in this tale.
2. University of Ulster student Claire Mc Elduff from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, whose design is modelled by DIT finance student Rita Zhang from Walkinstown, Dublin. Claire says she has been inspired by the nature around her home in how her design “My Enchanted Forest” develops over time.
3. NCAD student Patricia Carroll from Carraroe, Sligo whose design is modelled by DIT marketing student Leah Sheridan from Bailieborough, Cavan. Patricia was inspired by trees such as weeping willows. She says that the natural manner of this particular tree is quite fascinating, as it has an extreme elegance, yet sombre appearance, which is depicted from the curtains of drooping branches which sweep the ground. Patricia says she wanted to translate these fascinating aspects into an outfit.
4. Griffith College student Roisin Lawrence from Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow whose design is modelled by DIT visual and critical studies student Miriam Hunt from Goatstown, Dublin. Roisin says that her interpretation of ”Enchanted Forest” is of monsters lurking in the dark, damp forest, taking their tangled and matted hair, their wrinkled and slimy skin and transforming them into beautiful unusual fabrics, with the exaggerated silhouettes of the unnatural beings themselves.
5. Grafton Academy student Sinead Woods from Glenageary, Co. Dublin whose design is modelled by DIT retail and marketing student Kate O’Sullivan from Monkstown, Co. Dublin. Sinead says that her inspiration was what she believed would make an enchanted forest. She says that she aims to deliver a wearable but exciting garment, infused with her style of an enchanted forest.
6. Limerick School of Art and Design student Jessica Hourigan from Mallow, Co. Cork whose design is modelled by DIT retail services and management student Alison Treanor from Swords, Co. Dublin. Jessica says she was “Originally interested in the dark tales of the Brothers Grimm” and the inspiration for her design came from the depths of the enchanted forest. Looking to the tale of Little Red Riding Hood for inspiration, she set out to create a piece with an equally dark energy; encapsulating both the seductive quality of the wolf and the contrasting innocence of Little Red.
7. GMIT student Shona Breen from Athlone whose design is modelled by DIT industrial maths student Immy Prakobphon from Grand Canal Dock, Dublin. Shona says she is inspired by the essence and charm of forests and woodlands. She particularly loves nature, its colours, and all the beauty which it has to offer. Shona said “This competition allowed me to take myself out of my reality and into ethereal world to experience the land of enchanted beauty.”
8. Mallow College of Design & Tailoring student Nuala McCarty from Tralee, Co. Kerry whose design is modelled by DIT baking management student Zoe Butterworth from Redcross, Co. Wicklow. Nuala says that her inspiration came from looking at buds beginning to bloom. She was intrigued by the concept of the hard outer shell bursting open to reveal the soft beauty that lay underneath. On developing this theme further she began looking at mushrooms, which are a fungus that usually go unnoticed laying deep within the forest. They too have their beauty hidden by a protective shell. Nuala’s concept is hidden beauty.
9. Sallynoggin College of Further Education student Sarah Murphy from Roundwood, Co. Wicklow whose design is modelled by DIT retail management and marketing student Tiffany Adusi from Goatstown, Dublin. Sarah was inspired by the wild winter forests of Co. Wicklow and the ancient myths of Celtic Ireland.
The DIT Fashion Society, which organizes this annual show, is one of 80 societies in DIT which have over 6,000 student members. The societies place heavy emphasis on the management of, and participation in, productions and campaigns such as the Vodafone DIT Fashion Show with a view to the practical education of the students involved.