The Irish Fashion Innovation Awards presented by Goldenegg Productions is a contest for fashion designers and fashion students, showcasing the highest expression of creativity from the most innovative designers in Ireland. Recognised as a launching pad for Ireland’s most talented, the event attracts entries from promising fashion creatives competing for the prestigious Awards. The Irish Fashion innovation Awards continually aspire to showcase the most cutting-edge designers, giving up-and-coming designers an invaluable connection to the public. The brainchild of Patricia McCrossan of Goldenegg Productions, the Awards give visibility, support and a voice to design talent throughout Ireland, offering an unrivalled opportunity for their work to be shown to a jury made up of fashion design experts. “The Goldenegg Irish Fashion Innovation Awards are unique to Ireland. They are seen as providing a rite of passage for many of our top designers as they make their way up the rungs of the fashion ladder. We have a fantastic track record to date with some of Ireland’s best-known designers making their national debut at the Goldenegg Irish Fashion Innovation Awards,” explains Patricia. Previous winners include Carla Johnson, Natalie B. Coleman, Una Burke, Niamh O’Neill, Martha Lynn, Blaithin Ennis and Rebecca Marsden.

Who are Goldenegg Productions?
Goldenegg Productions, publishers of the monthly glossy magazineGALWAYnow and biannual WEDDINGSnow, are proud to present thisprestigious event.

A shortlist of aspiring designers and students from fashion colleges throughout the country will showcase their top designs in the hope of being crowned winner acrossthe following six categories. The judging panel will select oneoverall winner from each category on the night of the event. The winner will be chosen by secret ballot and will be announced at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards ceremony in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway on March 30 2017.

Student Designer of the Year 2017
Accessory Designer of the Year 2017
Jewellery Designer of the Year 2017
Millinery Designer of the Year 2017
Fashion Designer of the Year 2017
Innovation Award Winner 2017
Ones to Watch 2017

Student Designer of the Year 2017
The competition is open to students currently enrolled in a fashion design course at a recognised college within Ireland. A different design brief is set each year, which provides the colleges with the opportunity to create a unique design to fit the brief. Each college will be asked to select four entrants to represent them as finalists at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2017. Submissions must include a formal sketch representation of the design, accompanied by working drawings to illustrate cut, detail and fabric samples. The winner will receive €1000 in prize money.

Accessory Designer of the Year 2017
Designers must present a collection of six pieces of which three will be chosen to appear on the catwalk. Designers may submit in one of the following categories – bags, footwear, printed/woven scarves or shawls. Designers will be judged on innovation, design integrity, quality of materials and workmanship.

Jewellery Designer of the Year 2017
Designers must present a collection of six pieces of which three will be chosen to appear on the catwalk. Jewellery may be made using precious or semi precious metals and stones, glass, wood, leather, synthetics, fabric or felted materials. Designers will be judged on innovation, design integrity, quality of materials and workmanship.

Millinery Designer of the Year 2017
Designers must present a collection of six pieces of which three will be chosen to appear on the catwalk. Colour is strongly encouraged, along with unusual shapes and sizes. Designers will be judged on innovation, design integrity, quality of materials and workmanship.

Fashion Designer of the Year 2017
Designers will be required to provide six complete outfits to be presented as a ‘collection’.

Innovation Award 2017
This award is presented to one of the winning designers to acknowledge their innovative and unique style of design.

Ones to Watch 2017
Five rising stars will showcase their latest collections in this category.

Who attended the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2016?

Local and national fashion designers
Buyers and fashion industry executives
Personal shoppers and stylists
Local and national press
Fashion bloggers
Affluent consumers from every county in Ireland
Socialites and celebrities
Professional photographers and models

Press Coverage 2016

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 Facebook page received 150,000 likes to the 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.

DEE MANGAN
Accessory Designer of the Year 2016

Leather collection scooped the award on the night with a collection that was inspired by fables and stories of the world.

Founded by Dee Mangan in 2014, Kinsale Leather builds companions for your everyday adventures by allowing the simplicity of the design and the quality of the leather to speak for itself. Dee believes your accessories are your everyday companions, accompanying you on your daily adventures and their handmade, leather goods are made to be worn and loved. Read More…

CARLA JOHNSON
Fashion Designer of the Year 2016

Carla Johnson aka MONA SWIMS was crowned Irish Fashion Designer of the Year 2016 at the glittering awards ceremony on March 10th. She also took home the Innovation Award 2016.

The creative force behind MONA is Irish print designer Carla Johnson, who studied Textile design at NCAD in Dublin. After graduating in 2006, Carla moved to London, where she worked and designed prints for Duro Oluwu, before becoming a full time freelance print designer. Carla spent the next six years developing prints for the fashion industry all over the world from her east London studio. She draws inspiration from her love of travel and a deep fascination with water. Read More…

EMMA BOURKE
Jewellery Designer of the Year 2016

Emma Bourke proudly took the honour of Jewellery Designer of the Year 2016.

Emma is a glass artist and researcher based in County Mayo. Her interest lies in traditional and contemporary use of wild plants. Last year, Emma developed a collection called Ethnobotany in which she placed tiny glass flowers inside blown clear glass organs. Read More…

ELAINE KEOGH
Millinery Designer of the Year 2016

Elaine Keogh took the title of Millinery Designer of the Year 2016.

Her stunning collection dominated the catwalk with striking pieces that were innovative, unique and perfectly crafted. Read More…

COLIN BURKE

Student Designer of the Year 2016

Colin Burke from the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) saw off tough competition to be chosen as the Student Designer of the Year 2016.

Colin’s winning design was a response to the brief set by Goldenegg which perfectly encapsulated ‘Where Life Meets Style.’ Read More…