Spotlight at ARC fashion show will be on brilliance and resilience of Irish designers

Ireland does not have a fashion week of its own, but the ARC fashion show taking place in the RDS will put a major spotlight on the industry response to the Covid-19 pandemic after a very tough and challenging two years for the creative sector.

Designers were faced with changes in consumer demand, a new emphasis on comfort and relaxed silhouettes, a race to provide e-commerce access to customers and the additional headache of Brexit – including supply chain issues and difficulties obtaining fabrics.

The annual ARC show is a key fundraiser for the charity providing cancer support services, but this year the fashion event takes on an added perspective as it puts a spotlight on the resilience of established and emerging designers and the “green card” in business.

“The ARC show takes place as consumers, coming out of pandemic restrictions, declare serious preference for Irish-designed and Irish-made products,” Eddie Shanahan, retail consultant and founder of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers (CIFD), said.

Then there are the sustainable credentials of the Irish designers who work on small production runs, trans-seasonal collections, upcycling dead stock and using renewable natural fabrics like wool, linen and silk.

A total of 26 designers will be showing 150 looks across categories of clothing, hats, swimwear, jewellery and footwear.

During lockdown, artist and printed textile designer Caroline Duffy of Dundalk, Co Louth, expanded her focus and moved to printing her artwork onto silk twill scarves. They were launched by former supermodel Sophie Anderton. Next week, Ms Duffy will unveil a new range of silk dresses at the RDS.

Ms Anderton has been a big supporter of ARC. After her wedding to Kazimierz ‘Kaz’ Balinski-Jundzill in Co Wicklow last summer, she donated her Helen Cody dress to be auctioned for the charity – of which Ms Cody is an ambassador.

After two years of cancelled shows, the organisers hope this  show will reach the target of €500,000 raised. The line-up includes some of the most established names alongside the most exciting newcomers.

At 27, Lia Cowan from Dublin has pulled off quite a coup getting her “Assemblé”, ballet-inspired modular co-ords to actress Nicola Coughlan who has been wearing them on the Bridgerton publicity tour.

Heidi Higgins from Portlaoise, Co Laois, pulled her business exclusively online, and during lockdown she introduced a new line of “mini-me” mother and daughter dresses.

At 25, Gabrielle Malone is typical of the “can do” philosophy. She returned from New York at the start of the pandemic, hand-knit in her garden shed studio in Co Kildare and her “Wave” cardigan ended up in Carrie Bradshaw’s closet in HBO’s Sex And The City reboot.

Twelve professional models will be joined by four “ARC Angels” who are ARC service users. Galway-based Niamh Daniels has designed special looks for them.