A number of Irish designers will be showcasing at this year's Copenhagen Fashion Week as part of an ambitious collaboration between the coveted fashion event and Dublin Independent Fashion Week.
Dublin Independent Fashion Week (DIFW) returns for its third year from 22-28 September, with an even more dazzling line-up of innovative Irish designers. Fashion fanatics can expect runways, inspiring creative workshops, vibrant live performances, insights from industry titans, and a comprehensive showcase to close out the spectacular event.
But before that, the fashion world will get a sneak peek at groundbreaking Irish designs at Copenhagen Fashion Week.
This August, four Irish creators will present their work at POET, a concept platform based in Paris and Copenhagen that has been challenging traditional fashion showrooms. The pared back space features a highly curated selection of brands across menswear, womenswear, unisex, and lifestyle categories, and from 6-8 August some of those brands will be homegrown Irish ones.
Jennifer Slattery, Mar Knitwear, AOIFE® and The Zero Waster are the four designers that will be presenting their creations to the eternally stylish Copenhagen set.
Read more about their brands below:
Jennifer Slattery
Jennifer Slattery has become recognised as a young voice revitalising Irish linen, creating a range of elegant, super-soft and luxurious tumble-washed clothing alongside limited-edition pieces.
Each collection is made in small batches from Irish linen sourced through local mills, and features items that are designed to be worn and cherished all throughout the year. Slattery embellished select pieces with her signature embroidery, while others let the fabric and silhouettes do the talking.
Speaking about presenting at POET, Slattery said: "I'm truly honoured to be presenting my clothing collection for the first time with DIFW at Poet Showroom, as part of Copenhagen Fashion Week. It’s a really special moment for the label — a chance to share my love of Irish linen on an international stage, and to show pieces that reflect the care, craft, and quiet detail that’s at the heart of everything I do."
Mar Knitwear
This independent, queer-led fashion label is founded by creative director Mihai Mar and based in Dublin, focusing on story-driven design, refined craftsmanship, and a commitment to thoughtful sustainability. Each item is created in-house using traditional knitting techniques and ethically sourced materials.
The ethos of the brand is to celebrate identity and storytelling through sustainable design. By reinterpreting heritage craftsmanship through a queer contemporary lens, the brand shapes a new vision of modern luxury rooted in authenticity.
Speaking about showcasing at POET, Mar said: "Dublin Independent Fashion Week began with a clear mission: to champion Irish talent and build a supportive ecosystem designed by designers for designers. Presenting my brand, Mar Knitwear, at Copenhagen Fashion Week is a true milestone and a testament to what DIFW set out to achieve. The community it fosters has opened so many doors for my own brand's growth. I’m incredibly proud to represent Ireland with the DIFW collective on an international stage."
AOIFE®
Founded in 2016 by Aoife Rooney, a textile, architect, and fashion designer, AOIFE® is an Irish brand focusing on heritage fashion traditions and contemporary style. Rooney uses high-quality, certified deadstock fabrics sourced from global designer overproduction, giving new life to existing materials with intentional design. In this way, the brand champions zero resource consumption, zero emissions, and minimal energy use, all while adhering to strict ethical and environmental standards.
Speaking about the collaborarion, Rooney said: "We’re proud to showcase the official AOIFE® label in Denmark with DIFW as part of POET - an inspiring platform for purpose-driven fashion. As we continue to scale globally and in Denmark again, this milestone celebrates the integrity of our award-winning circular design and reaffirms our commitment to authentic, sustainable innovation."
The Zero Waster
Showcasing for the second time at POET, Sarah O'Neill will bring her regenerative fashion brand to the city. The Zero Waster puts a strong emphasis on local collaboration and heritage Irish crafts, using deadstock wool, sail cloth and cut-offs to create eye-catching streetwear pieces.
Her designs are all handmade and hand-dyed in Ireland and have sustainability at their core. O'Neill uses botanical inks to stay connected to the earth and maintain a distinct character in her pieces.
Speaking about the event, O'Neill said: "Honoured to be showcasing again at Poet showroom during Copenhagen Fashion Week -this time with the DIFW collective- amplifying the voice of Irish design on an international level!"
