Anocht, RTÉ 2, 20ú Deireadh Fómhair, 7pm.
Snáithe, is a landmark six-part documentary series tracing the story of Irish fashion design through the eyes of contemporary designers, experts and fashion historians.
What inspires today's designers? What has shaped their vision? Fashion blogger Ciara O’Doherty will embark on a journey exploring themes such as identity, tradition, patronage, perception and whether the Irish landscape, culture and textiles have shaped the creations of designers working in Ireland and internationally.
If the maxim is true that you are what you wear, what can we glean about ourselves through our design choices? Have folk traditions and superstitions surrounding dress survived in contemporary Ireland? Do the Irish even have a fashion identity?
Fusing the work of contemporary designers with key moments in Irish fashion history, a rich and transformative story of creativity will be revealed over six programmes. Featured designers include Orla Kiely, Natalie B Coleman, Úna Burke, Richard Malone, Helen Steele and many more.
Ciara O’Doherty look throughout the series is curated by fashion director and stylist Aisling Farinella.
The series is created and directed by Ciara Nic Chormaic. Speaking about the series Ciara said: "With Snáithe I hope to shine a light on a part of our culture and heritage which is often overlooked and to look closely at our own fashion identity. Also, it being such an exciting time for contemporary Irish designers I was keen to investigate what has shaped their vision"
Speaking in episode two about her influences and her first exposure to fashion Orla Kiely said "Nature and where I grew up in Dublin is a huge part of who I am. I had a mum who loved fashion, she loved quality she didn’t buy often…but always beautiful things"
Behind the scenes as he prepares for his show at London Fashion Week up and coming designer Richard Malone speaks about his generation of designers working in London right now:
"Designer in London who are Irish are at the forefront of contemporary design right now. We are constantly looking back and creating something new and it is becoming very interesting, not because it is Irish but because it is really good work."
Snáithe starts tonight, Wednesday, 20th October at 7pm on RTÉ 2
