Irish Fashion In DC

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a fashion show hosted by Solas Nua, a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing contemporary Irish arts. The show featured some of the top new Irish designers and included a special performance by renowned Irish singer Julie Feeney (who looked impossibly beautiful in a Kathy Mooney paper dress and a Lyndsey Cavanagh headpiece).

“We hand-selected each of our designers based on quality of their designs as well as their propensity to push the boundaries of what fashion is,” said Brieahn DeMeo, spokesperson for Solas Nua. “We are so excited to be showcasing these designers; each exemplifies the quality of work that is being produced in Irish Fashion today.”

Designers included Katarzyna Wypych and Orla O’Connor, who both sent uniquely sculpted wool designs down the runway. Also showing was Deirdre Williams, a finalist in the young Irish designer competition of 2009, currently in New York with Rag and Bone. “The concept for my collection stems from research on New York City in the 1930s, and how the depression affected fashion,” she said. Her designs included incredibly wearable knits and soft, flowy dresses in shades of plum, forest green, olive and blue-gray. My favorite look was a flirty, printed skirt with a ballet-inspired wrap top – I’d wear this everywhere if I could!

Also showing was Dublin-born Yvonne, who displayed a collection of hand-crafted crochet neck-pieces and designer Elis Boyle, whose sent several dramatic and feminine dresses down the runway, including a soft, printed dress with a breathtaking train.

While all the designs were unique and beautifully done, my favorites were far and away the looks from Emma Manley. Dublin born and based, Emma Manley worked in New York with luxury sportswear label VPL and in London with Alexander McQueen before starting her own line, Manley, in 2010. “The Manley aesthetic is quite romantic,” she said, “so for me the big challenge was making something beautiful using tough fabrics, hard shapes and strong lines.” The juxtaposition was obvious, as the designs were both edgy and at the same time undeniably girly. Standouts included a great long sleeve dress in black and navy and a slouchy sweater paired with cropped trousers. I literally dreamed about that sweater. So perfect…

All the evening’s looks were styled perfectly, thanks to Birds of a Pleather (I especially loved the belts worn backwards!) and the makeup done by Nour Kazoun.

Be sure to check out the designers, all the looks from the show and other photos from the event (including pre-show shots of the stylish attendees), and visit Solas Nua’s site to see everything else they are doing for contemporary Irish arts.

All images are mine. See my entire set here.