Next Tuesday, August 27th, Brown Thomas Dublin will celebrate Irish Designers CREATE, a pop-up installation featuring a total of thirteen Irish designers from the world of fashion, accessories, millinery, graphic print and textile design. The chosen designers will have the opportunity to showcase their exciting talents in one of Ireland’s most luxurious department stores.
Brown Thomas will also unveil a specially curated exhibition from Ireland’s most famous couturier Sybil Connolly which will be in situ for the month long installation. Famed in the 1950’s, Connolly modernised Irish hand craft and introduced it to the international fashion scene. With famous clients includingJacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Julie Andrews, the Hunt Museum’s collection will feature eight iconic Sybil Connolly archival designs offering a glimpse of her style and innovation. Among her bewitchingly romantic creations on display are ‘First Love’ a strapless evening gown of black gossamer pleated linen, ‘Illusion’ a Carrickmacross lace evening coat and ‘Pink Ice’ an evening gown of satin, lace and pearls. Brown Thomas invites customers to explore never before seen precious and private family archives in a bespoke display; including the designer’s sketch and fabric books, private portraits and national and international press clippings.
Irish Designers CREATE will showcase collections from esteemed and emerging designers including Sharon Wauchob, who features regularly at many of the international fashion weeks and hat designer Martha Lynn who crafted her intricate trade from milliner royalty Philip Tracey.
Sister designer duo Keira and Dairine Kennedy of KDK scarves, jewellers Maria Dorai Raj and Chloe Townsend ofWillow & Clo as well as designer Lucy Nagle will all bring their design flair to the initiative for the first time this year. Rising knitwear designer’s Derek Lawlor and Honor Fitzsimons will sit alongside returning designers Emma Manley, Lisa Ryder, Rebecca Marsden, Sean Byrne and Lisa Shawgi.
Sisters Keira and Dairine Kennedy of KDK scarves, two of the featured designers at Irish Designers CREATE
Irish Designers CREATE is the creative brainchild of Brown Thomas’ Fashion Director, Shelly Corkery. Lending support from the Chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers, Eddie Shanahan the dedicated space will nurture and champion the very best of Irish design talent.
Commenting Fashion Director of the Brown Thomas Group Shelly Corkery said: “We are delighted to be able to spot light thirteen incredibly talented Irish designers whilst also introducing a new offering to our customers. Incorporating the Hunt’s Museum’s collection of Sybil Connolly creations this year is both a privilege and an honour as it will be the first time the collection will sit in a retail space. Together the initiative perfectly showcases the broad breath of Irish design talent for our customers to enjoy.’
All thirteen designers will visit the store during the month long installation to meet and discuss their collections with customers. A full schedule of designer appearances is available on The Diary at www.brownthomas.com
