Irish Fashion Week 2026: Star-Studded Launch & Top Trends

From Connemara to Dublin: The ‘Coming Home’ Campaign Kickoff

Under the guiding motif of ‘Coming Home: An Island in Motion’, the initial promotional campaign captures eight prominent cultural figures against the rugged backdrop of Roundstone, Connemara. Captured by internationally acclaimed Irish photographer Damian Foxe, the visual project features actor Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, racing driver Max Hart, fashion icon Celia Holman Lee, Ireland Fashion Week Model of the Year Marwa Noelle Ali, musicians Travy and Abdu Huss (collectively known as KhakiKid), digital creator Lauren Whelan, and actor-model Ivana Miličević.

Ashley McDonnell, Founder of Ireland Fashion Week, emphasized the intentionality behind sourcing talent with international experience. We wouldn’t have been able to pull off last year without all the people that came – sometimes with 10, 20, 30 years of experience abroad – home, and you can really see that in this campaign, McDonnell stated, as noted in the primary campaign materials. Expanding on the creative direction, McDonnell added: We wanted this to feel both familiar and unexpected. To capture the Ireland we know and love while showing the confidence, diversity and creative energy shaping the country today. She further noted: Each person involved brings their own story and interpretation of home, but together they represent an Ireland that is proud of its roots and excited about its future.

Actor Jamie-Lee O’Donnell expressed enthusiasm regarding the event’s trajectory during the 3Arena launch gathering. They’ve included more graduates, more designers, more locations, O’Donnell remarked regarding the 2026 schedule, adding: I’m really excited; the energy is really positive and really electric, and everybody looks like absolute rides – that’s a quote! Commenting on the Connemara shoot, O’Donnell noted: Being part of this campaign feels incredibly special. The landscape in Connemara is unmistakably Irish, but the fashion and creative direction show a country that is constantly evolving and redefining itself. I’m genuinely proud to help launch it.

Showcase Highlights: Sinéad O’Dwyer and the 2026 Designer Lineup

A central fixture of the October schedule will be the City Hall runway show spotlighting internationally recognized Irish designer Sinéad O’Dwyer, known for pioneering inclusivity, representation, and innovative pattern-cutting within contemporary luxury. McDonnell highlighted the significance of O’Dwyer’s return: The thing I’m most looking forward to this year is welcoming an amazing Irish designer home, stating, We have the incredible Sinead O’Dwyer coming back to Dublin; she’s got that City Hall show, that incredible space, and what an honour for us to welcome Sinead back. McDonnell pointed to O’Dwyer’s global acclaim, noting that the designer currently has pieces housed in the Met Museum and has been celebrated by the V&A in London and the British Fashion Council.

Beyond the City Hall showcase, the six-day itinerary incorporates Brother Wolf by Pádraig Whelehn, Mná by Sarah Plunkett Chadwick, Aoife McNamara, Sasha Donnellan, Bold Golf, and RASHHIIID. Additional programming includes the opening Irish Roots show at St Helen’s highlighting established and emerging labels, the Damhsa graduate showcase featuring over 40 designers at the RDS, and the Irish Edit showroom at 1 Windmill Quarter presenting an additional 30 designers.

Stylist Brian Conway curated looks for the promotional campaign from a pool of 150 submitted designer portfolios, ultimately selecting pieces from participants including Paul Costelloe, Sasha Donnellan, Triona, Magee 1866, Louis Copeland, Jack Murphy, and Alacoque Daly. They gave me a list of 150 designers to call in from for the campaign, Conway explained. I had to research them all to see what would work best, so I was actually really overwhelmed by how much talent there is and how many designers. Hair styling for the campaign was executed by the Dylan Bradshaw team using L’Oréal Professionnel products, while makeup was directed by Lan Nguyen-Grealis utilizing SOSU Cosmetics.

Operational Scale, Funding, and Access for the 2026 Programme

According to planning details released via official informational channels, Ireland Fashion Week operates under a fully funded model for participating designers. The organization covers expenses including venue hire, models, hair, makeup, photography, videography, lighting, production, staff, decor, print, audio, and VIP transport. Designers are solely responsible for garment creation and personal accommodation or transport.

The operational framework relies on three core pillars outlined by organizers: Knowledge through Brand Bootcamps covering business, e-commerce, sustainability, and retail; Connections facilitated via hosted international media and local press ticket allocations; and Capital support covering 100% of graduate costs and up to 80% of experienced designer expenses, alongside reported technological and production allocations. Casting procedures involve model proposals submitted by agencies, followed by a dedicated pre-selection and casting day where designers work alongside show coordinators to finalize their lineups.