The collections of the 32 final year students will be showcased in the fashion show, before they each embark on their professional careers. These collections feature pieces from highly conceptual garments to ready-to-wear and high-street pieces.
"The annual Fashion Show serves as a springboard to launch the careers of our graduates and showcase the knowledge, skills and talent that our Fashion Design graduates have acquired and developed during their time in NCAD.
"We’re very excited about the innovation, quality of design and breadth of creativity that will be showcased at this year’s Fashion Show – it’s an exciting time for the fashion design industry in Ireland!" said Angela O’Kelly, Head of Design for Body and Environment at NCAD.
The students are the next generation of Ireland’s fashion industry and have been working 16-hour days in the run up the show, researching, designing, making patterns, stitching and sewing the entire collection themselves. They are allowed to get 50% of the collection made professionally but being students, few can afford it.
This year will see the biggest class of NCAD fashion design graduates to date as the third year and the fourth year students are graduating together. The best student will be offered a mentorship and a €4,000 prize by Brown Thomas.
"Following on from such a successful partnership last year, we are delighted to support the NCAD graduates for a second year. Discovering new design talent is so exciting and keeps the industry moving forward.
"This year the chosen 'Designer to Watch' graduate will be part of CREATE which is a wonderful opportunity to showcase both their talent and innovation along with gaining commercial experience in the industry" said Brown Thomas Fashion Director, Shelly Corkery.
The future looks bright for NCAD graduates - especially for those who get to follow in the footsteps of such college alumni as Simone Rocha, Philip Tracey or Orla Kiely.
