The sudden closure of Irish fashion brand Orla Kiely last week sent the fashion community reeling.
Being one of the most successful Irish retail businesses, loved worldwide, repeatedly being worn by the likes of Kate Middleton and Sarah Jessica Parker, this was a sad shock.
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Her distinctive prints were proudly waving the Irish flag abroad for years now and will be sorely missed.
However we are living in an exciting time for Irish fashion, with more Irish names gaining attention then ever. Here are a few Irish names taking the fashion world by storm at the moment.
JW Anderson
Jonathan Anderson, has been making waves in London Fashion Week this month, showing effortless light layers and a more feminine look then previously.
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Anderson received high praise for both his own collections, which he has been showing for ten years now, but also for Spanish brand Loewe, which Anderson has been creative director of since 2013.Giving a new lease of life to Loewe by rebranding it as a ‘cool girl’ brand with the release of the bags such as the ‘Puzzle bag‘.
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The bag gained a lot of attention from the fashion blogger community worldwide, but has since become a staple of the brand.
Simone Rocha
Rocha is another Irish Designer gaining much deserved attention this month. Her collections are heavily inspired by her homeland, featuring traditional intricate lacework and netted head pieces of Aran Island mourners. Her latest collection was also inspired by her Chinese heritage, featuring rich colours, reds and greens, in contrast to her now signature black and white colour schemes.
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Rocha is gaining mainstream media attention, with SNL Alum Maya Rudolph wearing two of her pieces at the Emmy’s this month. As well as getting the same seal of approval Orla Kiely did, with Kate Middleton wearing a pair of her earrings for a glam night out.
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Chupi
Dublin based jewellery Chupi Sweetman isn’t quite at the level of Anderson or Rocha yet! This young business is showing great promise. Designing romantic luxury pieces, inspired by the Irish country side. Her designs are becoming the ‘must have’ pieces for everything from stacking necklaces to even engagement rings.
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Embracing technology, Chupi is releasing a Virtual Reality app in 2019 to aid customers in finding the perfect size piece of jewellery. It is this ingenuity that has allowed the company grow from a stall in the Powerscourt Center to exporting into 64 countries in just five years.
It is safe to say the future of Irish Fashion at home and abroad is in safe hands and we have lots to look forward to.
