Words and Photography By Sophie Beddoe

This year was my first time attending Dublin Independent Fashion Week (DIFW) and honestly, I’m a bit raging that I missed out on the previous editions. From the moment I arrived, the vibrant atmosphere made it clear that DIFW is something truly special. There’s a genuine love for art, music and community that creates an energy incomparable to any other fashion week I’ve experienced.

Unlike the often polished and competitive scenes in London or Paris, DIFW feels like a breath of fresh air, a space where creativity and collaboration take centre stage. It’s a welcoming, inclusive community that truly celebrates Irish craftsmanship and design. Now in its third year DIFW is growing fast and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

Highlighting Unforgettable Shows
Rion Hannora’s show, presented a truly thought-provoking unisex bridal collection. ‘Chapter 7: Sex before marriage.’ The designer described the collection as capturing “all the good stuff about marriage; the outfits, the love without all the bad stuff,” such as compulsive religious beliefs,shame around sex, and outdated ideas of women as property. It was refreshing to see a bridal collection that approaches weddings with both seriousness and humour, acknowledging how weddings can be life changing for some and a nuisance for others.

What really struck me was the concept behind the collection: ‘Radical Frivolity.’ This idea blends the gravity of radical political action with the playful lightness of frivolity, not just silliness but using playfulness as a form of resistance and social change. It felt like a bold challenge to the compulsory and often controversial nature of weddings, especially within traditional Irish culture. I also can’t overlook the captivating live music that accompanied the show. Original compositions by Lisa Canny on the harp, alongside Josh Sampson on drums and Laura Doherty on fiddle. Canny’s contemporary take on traditional wedding music mirrored Hannora’s thoughts, ideas and collection.

The performance added an enchanting layer to the experience.
Rion Hannora’s collection was a powerful statement, inviting us to rethink traditions and celebrate
love on our own terms.

Another highlight was of course Pellador’s A/W25’ show, ‘Hard Shoulder.’ Pellador is an example of Irish fashion that’s deeply rooted in cultural pride, celebrating Irish history, sport and music through the lens of contemporary streetwear. It’s refreshing to see a brand so committed to its heritage and preserving that culture at home in their limerick studio instead of racing off up to Dublin or across to London like we’ve seen many Irish brands do.

Founder Greg Hall and designer Dewey continue to pour their hearts into their work; playful, authentic, and passionately Irish. Designer Mícheal Shanahan’s recent return to the brand, saw his unique touch, bringing in a fresh vibe with his robust outerwear style. The collection ranged from comfy sportswear to tailoring and of course the famous knitwear, reaffirming how versatile the brand really is.

Irish sporting nostalgia is a key part of the brands identity, given major nods to major football legends like Roy Keane, I have to admit I was obsessed when they came out with the ‘Roy Keane Jeans’ last year and this year they’ve caught everyone’s attention once again. The show-stopping ‘Roy-kini,’(Bikini plastered with Roy Keane) modelled by Liath Hannon had the crowd roaring with applause, a true testament to their playful humour and creativity.

Pellador is always busy not only with their own collections but constantly working on collaborations, including major companies like Guinness but also smaller brands like Gliders and Taippe, showcasing creative spirit and support for all Irish design. It’s so nice to see bigger brands supporting smaller and collaborating for the sake of art and not clout. Pellador truly embodies the spirit of DIFW, which was established to support all Irish fashion.

This season, they teamed up with the Portuguese brand Taippe to create “Taipellador,” offering a sneak peek of this exciting 12 piece collection during the show. Irish designed, Portugal made, Taippe is a slow fashion brand dedicated to crafting high quality timeless pieces. The collaborative pieces were more formal than what we usually see from Pellador, but I loved the diversity of garments which blended in perfectly with the rest of Pellador’s looks thanks to styling by Kara O’Sullivan and her fantastic team.

Innovative Concepts and Interactive Experiences
Mar Knits ‘Merits of Mischief,’ was a surprise highlight for me at DIFW! Designer Mihai Mar firmly believes that craftsmanship and design deserve more than just fleeting seconds on the runway and I couldn’t agree more. This was reflected in the show’s unique format; instead of a traditional catwalk, models danced throughout the room, creating an immersive and dynamic atmosphere. The unforgettable experience was enhanced by live drawing session and audience engagement, allowing us to become part of the creative process. Each attendee was given drawing materials to sketch the garments during the performance, making us all part of the creative process.

Adding to the magic was a soulful live piano performance by Paul James Prior, which brought depth and emotion to the presentation. It was an hour-long celebration of creativity and craftsmanship that I thoroughly enjoyed. What a rare treat to be able to express your own creativity during a fashion show, I certainly had so much fun!

Lily Breslin and Alex O’Donovan, recent graduates from Limerick School of Art and Design, debuted their collection ‘Lilagh,’ inspired by the transformative journey from girlhood to womanhood. Each piece is deeply personal, reflecting their own experiences growing up as women. A recurring motif of curls symbolized the powerful role hair plays in shaping femininity and identity, creating a strong emotional connection to the collection. The show closed with poetry by Shannon Haly, titled “I’m a Girl.” Her piece revisits the poet’s adolescence as a young girl in Ireland, exploring the challenges and expectations surrounding a girl’s transition to womanhood in modern society. The poem perfectly reflected the designers inspiration behind their collection.

The show also featured interactive mirrors that engaged guests directly, offering an innovative and immersive experience. This inventive approach invited attendees to reflect and connect with the collection on a deeper level, blurring the lines between fashion and personal storytelling.

Talent we missed
Although conflicting runways stopped me from attending every show and event, I cannot overlook the impressive DIFW Headliner Fashion Show featuring committee designers Megan McGuigan with ‘Seeking Judy,’ Aisling Duffy, and Sarah O’Neill with ‘The Zero Waster.’ These three remarkable, female-led Irish fashion brands came together to immerse us in their unique creative visions through a series of back-to-back fashion shows, expertly produced by Zeda The Architect. From what I’ve heard, the show was a huge success! No surprises there, I’m always thrilled to see the innovative work from these talented designers!

A Peek into the Future
Last but certainly not least, I have to highlight the 13 incredible graduate designers behind Togála’s 2025 runway show, “A Collection of Ireland’s Emerging Designers.” Designers included, Madeline Whelan, Roisín Scales, Emily O’Shea, Róisín Gordon, Mia Walsh, Adam Mohan, MARIA PATRIARCA, Hollie Marie Gallagher, Anna Maria Buda, Niamh McGovern, Hannah Reid Lily Breslin and Alexandra O’Donovan

The show was incredible but you’ll have to read my next article to find out more!

Final Thoughts –
Dublin Independent Fashion Week has proven to be a refreshing, inspiring event that emphasizes community, craftsmanship, and artistic expression. It’s a reminder of why we fell in love with fashion in the first place. With this energy and spirit, I look forward to seeing how Irish fashion continues to evolve and thrive on this platform.