Dublin Independent Fashion Week (DIFW) has returned for its third iteration, with fashion fans descending on the capital for a week of events from some of Ireland's sharpest sartorial minds.
DIFW provides a platform for both emerging and established talents in the fashion space to celebrate their work, get it in front of the eyes of the public and collaborate with artists in creative fields.
A designer-led and community-focused collective of artists, DIFW runs from September 22 to 28 at various locations across Dublin, and there are over 30 events involving over 60 brands across fashion, beauty and accessories, collaborating with over 40 creatives across music, performance, fine art, and more.
This line-up includes fashion shows, creative showcases, workshops and more, with many fusing artistic practices to offer attendees a multi-faceted and immersive experience that spotlights fashion design’s worthy place among other disciplines.
Fashion design isn't currently officially recognised as an artistic discipline by the Arts Council of Ireland, says the founders, and that is something that DIFW aims to open a conversation about.
"Right now we don't fall under the Department of the Arts, and that's something that we really want to work on long term for fashion to be recognised as an art form," explains Mihai Mar, a knitwear artist and one of the co-founders of DIFW.
For the first time, DIFW is collaborating with The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), where the culmination of the week of events, the DIFW x IMMA Official Closing Ceremony, will be held on Sunday, 28 September.
Produced and directed by a leader in the Irish fashion space, Zeda the Architect, the finale event will showcase the work of the participating designers under the same roof that shelters the works of Jack B. Yeats, Paula Rego and Louis le Brocquy.
"Having fashion in an environment like IMMA, we hope really emphasises the craftsmanship and the art form that fashion really is," says Mihai. He explains that the commercial aspect of fashion design is the scarlet letter that excludes it from many avenues for funding, studio spaces and art grants.
"My thinking is, does a painter not make a painting to sell to somebody? The word 'design' is a roadblock for a lot of funding."
DIFW committee member Sarah O’Neill, also known as The Zero Waster, says she has faced similar issues when trying to qualify for programmes such as the Arts Council Agility Award and the Basic Income for Arts scheme. However, platforms like DIFW create visibility for fashion creatives who may otherwise go unseen and un-showcased thanks to the challenges that come with surviving as craftspeople.
The sustainably focused creator highlights how this year’s event is platforming the diverse range of creatives that are represented in Dublin and beyond.
"We are trying to create a space for emerging talent and represent our multicultural fashion community. We want to provide a platform for diverse voices and celebrate underrepresented identities," she said.
The community is a core focus for the committee and the event participants - after all, in many industries, fashion included, it is all about who you know.
"Trying to create your own brand can be lonely. You're trying to do everything yourself, so you can become very disconnected. We are offering a network for designers so they can reach out to each other, showcase together, and get feedback and mentoring. We are creating a community where designers don't feel alone," she said.
While the closing event for the week is being held in one of Ireland’s totems of art, the Opening Ceremony takes place on 23 September at in one of Dublin’s most recognisable establishments, Bewley’s Café, where the week of events will kick off with FROM ARAN TO THE ATELIER, a discussion of Ireland’s past, present and future of fashion.
DIFW co-founder Ríon Hannora will debut her solo collection in the iconic space too, on 25 September. Titled Chapter 7: Sex Before Marriage, the show promises a dynamic showcase of unisex bridalwear in a political and joyful presentation.
Stepping back to the 24, DIFW’s founding members Aisling Duffy, Megan McGuigan of Seeking Judy and Sarah O’Neill of The Zero Waster will present BECOMING, a fashion performance that unfolds across three distinct acts. It takes place in another of Dublin’s art and culture hubs, The Complex Venue, Gallery and Studios.
Meanwhile, Mihai Mar of Mar Knitwear’s showcase MERITS OVER MISCHIEF will be a fashion-focused life drawing event, taking place at Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre across 24 and 25 September.
The clue is in the name, but The Zero Waster’s work is rooted in environmental ethics, and DIFW has a sustainable ethos that all participating designers adhere to. A number of events taking place across the week incorporate discussions about circularity in the Irish fashion industry.
Stitching Change - Community, Creativity & Circular Fashion is one such event, which examines the ways we consume and capitalise through fashion, and how we can tackle textile waste and spark new ideas.
These examples alone display the diversity in events across the week, tying in history, culture, artistic practice, music, poetry and more to fuse fashion into its rightful place as a distinctive and essential art form.
See the full programme of events here, with tickets available to the public for a number of shows, talks and workshops.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.
