Ireland Fashion Week: DAMHSA: Ireland’s Next Generation of Fashion Takes Centre Stage

By: Cláir

Ireland Fashion Week’s Graduate Show brought emerging designers together at the RDS for an enchanting celebration of Irish fashion, creativity and culture.

The future of Irish fashion took centre stage at the RDS Concert Hall on Saturday, October 10, as DAMHSA – The Graduate Show brought together 44 emerging designers for the largest show on the Irish fashion calendar this season.

With more than 1,000 attendees, the show was a major showcase for the next generation of Irish design talent.

Produced and financed by Ireland Fashion Week with the support of its partners, DAMHSA gave young designers the opportunity to participate in a fully funded professional fashion show and experience the scale and production standards of the international fashion industry.

Despite the impressive scale of the production, there was something wonderfully intimate and distinctly Irish about the occasion.

Set against the beautiful surroundings of the RDS Concert Hall, the models took to the catwalk accompanied by live traditional Irish music, creating an enchanting atmosphere and bringing Ireland’s cultural heritage into the heart of the show.

A female Irish dancer performing in soft shoes added a light, almost ethereal quality to the first half.

The mood shifted in the second half as two male Irish dancers in hard shoes took to the floor, introducing a stronger rhythm and a more powerful, contemporary energy.

The combination of live music, dance and fashion was inspired.

Each element complemented the next, giving DAMHSA an unmistakably Irish identity while allowing the designers’ work to remain firmly at the centre of the production.

It was theatrical without distracting from the clothes and, above all, it was fun.

There was a real sense of celebration surrounding the young designers and all they had achieved.

A New Generation of Irish Design

The collections themselves were equally captivating.

There was an exciting mix of styles, textures and ideas coming down the runway, with fabrics including handwoven textiles, dead stock fabrics , leather, lace,  wool and linen featuring across the collections, alongside a noticeable emphasis on sustainability.

What was perhaps most impressive was the individuality on display.

Bringing 44 emerging designers together could easily have resulted in the collections merging into one, but instead the show demonstrated just how diverse Ireland’s emerging fashion scene has become.

Photographer Yamila Pavia @yam_photography

Some designs drew on traditional materials and craftsmanship, while others felt unmistakably modern and experimental.

Each brought something different to the runway, creating a varied and visually engaging show.

For such a small island, the breadth of creativity was remarkable.

Irish designers have long looked internationally when building their careers, but DAMHSA showed why there is every reason to be excited about what is happening here at home.

Photographer Yamila Pavia @yam_photography

There was confidence on the runway, a willingness to experiment and, importantly, an opportunity for emerging designers to present their work before a large audience.

But behind the creativity and excitement of the catwalk lies a deeper purpose: supporting these young designers as they take their first steps into the fashion industry.

All 44 designers benefit from training, bootcamps and ongoing support, alongside the opportunity to participate in the fully funded fashion show.

As with last year, three of the young designers showcased will also receive scholarships through the Ireland Fashion Week bursary, providing additional financial support as they begin their careers.

That support is particularly important for graduates entering an industry where the transition from college to establishing an identity, brand and career can be challenging.

Giving emerging designers access to a professional platform allows their work to move beyond the college environment and onto a runway where it can reach a much wider audience.

From Paris to Ireland

At the heart of the Graduate Show was Laoise O’Connell, Chief of Staff at Ireland Fashion Week, whose own journey in fashion has an international dimension.

O’Connell began building her career in Paris, gaining experience with some of the world’s best-known luxury fashion houses, including Chanel and Givenchy.

As Ireland’s fashion and creative industries continued to develop, she increasingly found herself looking towards home and recognising the opportunity to become part of that momentum.

Her international experience is now matched by a commitment to supporting Ireland’s emerging designers and helping to give them the professional opportunities needed to grow within the industry.

In September, O’Connell was recognised in the Creative & Culture category at JCI Dublin’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons Awards, held at Dublin Chamber.

The awards celebrate young people whose leadership, innovation and impact are helping to shape their communities.

Reflecting on the Graduate Show, O’Connell said:

“It’s been a huge honour to creative direct and produce this show alongside stylist Yara A Salam, these incredible designers and the wider Ireland Fashion Week team.

“Thank you to everyone who made it happen.”

It is perhaps that collaborative spirit that best sums up DAMHSA.

Although the clothes were naturally at the heart of the show, DAMHSA felt like something bigger than a conventional runway production.

Fashion was presented alongside live Irish music, dance, heritage and contemporary culture, giving the show its own distinctive character.

Most importantly, it put 44 emerging designers firmly in the spotlight.

Walking away from the RDS, the overwhelming impression was just how much talent and creativity Ireland has to offer.

Sustainability, traditional fabrics and Irish influences sat comfortably alongside contemporary ideas and a new generation willing to challenge expectations.

Established traditions met fresh ideas on a Dublin catwalk, providing an exciting glimpse of where Irish fashion might be heading next.

Irish fashion is no longer waiting in the wings. If DAMHSA is anything to go by, its next generation is ready to take centre stage.