Our reporter Lyndsay Hughes got to sit in the front row at the Fashion Innovation Awards this year in the Radisson Blue hotel…
The cream of the Irish fashion circuit was on display at the 4th annual Fashion Innovation Awards in the Radisson hotel in Galway on Thursday night.
Over 30 Irish designers, who honed their skills both here and abroad, showed off their collections in front of a 600-strong audience at the prestigious event.
The winners included Niamh O’Neill, Martha Lynn and Michael Stewart, who won the coveted ‘Student Designer of the Year’ award.
The show was produced by the Eddie Shanahan, who has been involved with the production since it began, and was presented and organised by Goldenegg Productions, publishers of Galway Now magazines.
Many stylish and well-known faces were in attendance, including the Sunday Business Post fashion editor, Lisa Brady, who helped to choose the winning designers from an array of outstanding talent and creativity.
Newly-crowned Miss Galway Laura Fox also attended, wearing a stunning floor length aqua gown, while she socialised with Galway’s top model, Shahira Barry.
Guests were treated to goodie bags from Galway NOW magazine, which included beautiful PaperBlanks diaries and money-off vouchers for a range of Galway businesses. VIP guests were treated to an additional goodie bag from Lancome, one of the main sponsors of the event.
The models on the night were provided by Morgan model agency in Dublin, who were meticulously styled by make-up professionals from Lancome’s Galway outlets, and Vogue Hair and Beauty on Kirwan’s Lane.
Preparations for the show began early on Thursday afternoon, and there was excitement and anticipation backstage as the models had a practice run. Dedicated staff from Galway NOW magazine spent hours preparing the 600 goodie bags for the guests.
Style among the guests on the night was fantastic, but one lady in particular caught the eye of the judges. Orla Sheridan, a GTI student, managed to flawlessly blend designer and high street, and won the sought-after ‘Red Carpet’ award for the best dressed lady.
Goldenegg have expressed their delight at this year’s show on Facebook saying they are “looking forward to the 2014 show already!”
Given that the show was followed by a private Mojito party, it’s likely the guests feel the same.
The event was featured on TV3’s Xpose on Friday 29 March.
The winners:
Fashion Designer of the Year 2013: Niamh O’Neill
Jewellery Designer of the Year 2013: Ger Breslin – Jee Jewellery
Millinery Designer of the Year 2013: Martha Lynn
Accessory Designer of the Year 2013: Lisa Ryder
Student Designer of the Year 2013: Michael Stewart
Winner of the “Red Carpet Award” 2013 for Best Dressed: Orla Sheridan
