Irish designs on the Catwalk

Paris, Milan, New York and London, the fashion capitals of the world. Every year fashionistas pencil into their diaries the all important fashion weeks in each of these cities where they can get a glimpse of the coming season's key trends.

The catwalk shows, displaying next season's wear, come second only perhaps to the showings of the Haute Couture collections from the likes of Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld, although just a select few get to see these glorious and outrageously expensive creations in the flesh, or the fabric, so to speak.

All the while, the fashion lovers of Ireland had to make do with scanning the glossies for coverage of each fashion week. Until that is Dublin Fashion Week stormed onto the scene. Ok, it may not be New York or Paris, but it's now in its seventh season and has proved an excellent showcase for established and up and coming Irish designers. In fact such is its popularity now that designers from the UK and further afield are getting in on the act. 

This year's fashion week runs from the 25 to 27 August, with events open to the public and trade people. The Catwalk show, when the public will be able to catch a glimpse of the Autumn Winter ‘08 collections, takes place on 27 August. Cosmetics company Lancome will also reveal the key looks for Spring Summer ‘08 under the guidance of head make-up artist, Jane Daly.

Public talks in question and answer format with key figures from fashion, design and marketing will also take place over the two days, while the inaugural Motorola Dublin Fashion Week (MDFW) Awards will be held in Serpentine Hall in the RDS also on the 27.

John Rocha, Ellis Boyle and Helen Cody are up for Designer of the Year.

For more information check out: dublinfashionweek.com