Highlights of The Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2017
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway
Attendance
Who attended the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2017?
- Local and National Fashion Designers
- Buyers and Fashion industry Executives
- Personal Shoppers and Stylists
- Local and National Press
- Fashion Bloggers/Digital Influencers
- Affluent Consumers from every county in Ireland
- Socialites and Celebrities
- Professional Photographers and Models
The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Galway transformed into a mecca for fashionistas last night for the 2017 Irish Fashion Innovation Awards, with 500 guests in attendance. The awards celebrated their 8th year and are recognised as one of the most important and influential platforms for emerging Irish talent. Speaking about the night, producer Eddie Shanahan said “This is the show to come to if you want to see real imagination and excitement from some of the best new and established Irish Designers”.
Guests were treated to a spectacular show with work from forty two designers taking to the catwalk. The competition was judged by Chairperson of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers, Eddie Shanahan, Elaine Prendiville from the Sunday Business Post, Designer Rebecca Marsden and MD of Goldenegg Productions Patricia McCrossan who said “It is an honour to be able to showcase and promote upcoming Irish talent. The level of creativity and innovation that the designers bring each year is astounding and we are proud that the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards gives them the opportunity to showcase their talent to a wide audience”.
The success of the awards has led to the addition of multiple events as part of Galway Fashion Week with show producer and Chairperson of the Council of Irish Fashion Design, Eddie Shanahan hosting a series of seminars. A “Bloggers Breakfast” and the Galway Fashion trail took place also during this Fashion Festival extravaganza. Featuring showcases from a wide range of Galway stores, these events are free to the public and promise to be a wonderful day out.
Categories were sponsored by Brown Thomas, Hartmanns of Galway, the Local Enterprise Office Galway, Standún, the Gate Clinic – Smiles Dental and the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Galway with some of the sponsors announcing that they will showcase the finalists in their stores for a special limited time.
Finalists from each category were selected in January 2017 to come to Galway on March 30th 2017 for
the final of Irish Fashion Innovation Awards in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway.
2017 IFIA Finalists & Winners
Fashion
Finalists: Delphine Grandjouan, Lynsey Mcgarrigle, Lucynagle.com, @Éadach by Sara O’Neill: Stylist, Designer, Illustrator
WINNER: Theo & George – Katie O’Riordan
Millinery
Finalists: Ana Caples, Davina Lynch Millinery #Lynchmobhats, Margaret O’Connor, Michelle Kearns Designs
WINNER: Davina Lynch Millinery #Lynchmobhats,
Accessories:
Finalists: Louise Porter, The Atlantic Equipment Project, Niamh Daniels Scarves, Marie Claire Duncan, Wild Cocoon
WINNER: Wild Cocoon – Deirdre Duffy
Jewellery:
Finalists: Hannah McGuinness Jewellery, Lynsey De Burca, Rachel McKnight, INNU
WINNER: Hannah McGuinness
Student Designer of the Year:
Galway Technical Institute, Limerick School of Art and Design, University of Ulster, Nation College of Art and Design, Griffith College, St Angela’s Sligo, Letterkenny Institute of Technology
WINNER: Kate O’Doherty-Limerick School of Art and Design
Ones To Watch
Emma Ward, Sarah Murphy, Aisling Duff, Chloe Duggan
Innovation Awards Overall Winner
Wild Cocoon – Deirdre Duffy
Guest Designers
Niamh O Neill and Rebecca Marsden
Press Coverage
Strong links with local and national media partners through collaboration with newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, TV and radio stations
Press Coverage 2017 Nationwide – a full 30 minute programme devoted to the IFIA’S 2017
Press Coverage 2017
- Xpose
- Galway Bay FM
- iRadio
- Irish Independent Weekend Magazine
- Sunday Independent Life Magazine
- The Irish Independent
- The Herald
- The Sunday Business Post
- The Galway Advertiser
- The Galway Independent
- The Connacht Tribune
- The Tuam Herald
- The Mayo People
- The Westmeath Examiner
- RSVP Magazine
Weekly coverage in local and regional newspapers over
a 6-week period leading up to the event
Into The West Blogger Network coverage
Irish Fashion Innovation Awards received extensive social media coverage to post event images
With an increased focus on our social media and media partnerships, the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards saw dramatic growth in engagement across all social media platforms last year.
Contact

Patricia McCrossan
Managing Director
patricia@goldenegg.ie
086 8045518