In a vibrant display of creativity and innovation, fashion students from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) are showcasing their distinct collections that blend personal narratives with a commitment to sustainability. Central to this year’s graduation presentations is Joey Fanciulli’s collection, titled “The Proof is in the Pudding.” This whimsical line fuses elements of baking with fashion, drawing from cherished childhood memories spent in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother. The resulting pieces are not merely garments; they are playful explorations of texture, colour, and form that invoke the delectable aesthetics of desserts.

Other standout talents from the graduating cohort include Greta Giardini. Her collection, which intertwines her experiences as a trapeze artist, features wired red shapes that metaphorically represent blood, embodying a rhythmic interplay of motion and emotion. Similarly, Tadhg James Geraghty uses his own journey with gender identity as a lens through which to express complexities of self, crafting pieces with warped silhouettes and purposely misaligned patterns, symbolising the tumultuous emotions associated with personal struggles.

Ulviye Jarral’s work is marked by a striking collection of shirting that creatively navigates her multicultural heritage, while Elspeth Moloney’s raffia bell sleeve jacket pays tribute to female artisanship, celebrating the craft traditions often associated with women. Each designer’s work resonates with personal significance; for example, Juliet Webster draws inspiration from her ancestry in the west of Ireland, and Clodagh Leavy’s pieces reflect her grandmother’s artistic influence, for which she was recently awarded a bursary from River Island to further her studies.

The diverse narratives presented by these students highlight not only individual creativity but also a collective commitment to challenging traditional fashion norms. Under the guidance of tutors like Natalie B Coleman and Linda Byrne, the NCAD Fashion Design programme fosters an ethos of “thinking through making,” encouraging students to explore their stories and the societal themes that inform their designs.

Meanwhile, at the Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD), a new cohort of 36 fashion graduates is preparing for their own showcase, marking the first year of a revamped BA programme. Here, students present collections under four thematic pathways—Collection Design, Applied Textiles, Technology, and Sustainability. Erin Urquhart, for instance, created “The Red Thread” using deadstock yarn in a tribute to her mother, while Peter Ronan took inspiration from Paleolithic cave art, integrating surface detail as a focal point.

Other collections at LSAD reflect a strong emphasis on sustainability, a critical theme in contemporary fashion. Emer Glendon’s “Tidebound” combines digital and traditional techniques to evoke maritime influences, while Roisin Scales’s “My Native Shores” embraces zero waste principles through hand-knitted garments crafted from Irish wool and linen.

Both NCAD and LSAD graduates are reshaping the fashion landscape, fervently addressing pressing issues such as climate change, cultural identity, and gender expression through their work. Their commitment to sustainability extends beyond personal projects; initiatives like NCAD’s collaboration with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland aim to instil circular principles within the textile industry, further enhancing the relevance of these newly minted designers in an evolving marketplace.

As the future of fashion unfurls before them, these graduates exemplify the potential of the industry to be both a platform for personal expression and a catalyst for social and environmental change. The NCAD’s graduation show runs from June 5 to June 14, while LSAD will unveil its collections on May 31, presenting a compelling glimpse into the future of fashion and design in Ireland.

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Source: Noah Wire Services