Sligo-based designer Rebecca Marsden was named Designer of the Year at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway recently.
Ms Marsden was also the recipient of the inaugural award for innovation in design.
Judges Eddie Shanahan, chairperson at the Council of Irish Fashion Designers; Deidre McQuillan, Irish Times fashion journalist, and Patricia McCrossan, managing director of Golden Egg Productions, awarded Ms Marsden the top prize in recognition of her design creativity.
Other winners included Galway-based James McKeon (Kiyoni ), who was named Accessory Designer of the Year, Blaithin Ennis from Wexford, who was selected as Jewellery Designer of the Year, and Clare's Margaret O'Connor, who was awarded the title of Millinery Designer of the Year.
All prize winners at the fifth annual Irish Fashion Innovation Awards won a specially commissioned trophy.
Cork's Emma Gannon, a student at Griffith College, outclassed students from the National College of Art and Design, Limerick School of Art and Design, Galway Technical Institute, University of Ulster, and North West Regional College to win the Student Designer Award.
Five rising stars, Svitlana Andriyets, Caroline Matthews, Tom Oliver, Louise Rawlins and Ciara Silke showcased their latest collection in the ‘Ones to Watch’ category.
A highlight of the night was the stunning new collection from special guest, award-winning designer Natalie B Coleman. A previous winner of the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards, Natalie Coleman has dressed Irish stars such as Kathryn Thomas, Sharon Corr, Charlene McKenna and Laura Whitmore.
Marietta Doran had the unenviable task of picking a winner of the Red Carpet Award from the well-dressed and stylish audience who attended the glittering event in the Radisson Blu Hotel. Student designer Claire McElduff from Omagh claimed the style title and walked away with a weekend break for two at the luxurious four star Ice House Hotel in Ballina, Co Mayo.
Speaking at the event, Patricia McCrossan congratulated the award winners on their achievements.
“The Irish Fashion Innovation Awards are now recognised as a launching pad for Ireland’s top designers and offer an unrivalled opportunity for their work to be shown to a jury made up of fashion design experts.
“I congratulate all our award winners on their achievements and look forward to seeing their careers progress as they climb each rung of the fashion ladder.”
The Golden Egg Irish Fashion Innovation Awards are sponsored by Hogan Motors, Gloss Hair Studio, Lancôme, Hartmann’s of Galway, Brown Thomas, Galway County and City Enterprise Board, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Galway and Galway Now magazine.
