Dublin Fashion Festival & Young Designer of the Year Winner

On Friday September 22 there was a fashion extravaganza in The Round Room at The Mansion House to launch the new A/W season. Titled, Dublin Fashion 2017: The Collective, the event showcased the latest trends, styles and must-buys for the season ahead from leading high street, Creative Quarter and high-end retailers from across Dublin city centre. Hosted by Xpose’s Glenda Gilson, the event welcomed 500 of the city’s most stylish personalities.







Meanwhile, the winner of the Dublin Fashion Young Designer of the Year Award was also announced on the night with Naomi Ajetunmobi crowned this year’s winner. The 12 finalists took their designs to the catwalk before the judges deliberated to select a winner.







Performances on the night came from dance troop, Music from Red Empire and Trinity Quartet, while Ria Murphy of Aerial Cirque wowed with her aerial skills.

Dublin Fashion Festival - Young Designer of The Year Finalists

Dublin Fashion Festival is delighted to announce the 12 Young Designer of the Year finalists for 2017. The 12 finalists and their designs will take part in a spectacular catwalk show taking place in the stunning surroundings of the Round Room, in the Mansion House, on Friday, 22^nd September.

The 2017 Young Designer of the Year finalists are:

• Maria-Christina Mc Padden - Accademia costume e moda


• Rion O' Donovan - Limerick School of Art and Design


• Claire Louise Rose Reidy - Griffith College Dublin


• Romy Blennerhassett - Griffith College Dublin


• Danielle McGregor – NCAD


• Aoife Eustace Doyle - Limerick School of Art and Design


• Mairead Dore - Limerick School of Art and Design


• Naomi Ajetunmobi - Grafton Academy of Fashion and Design


• Gráinne Wilson - Limerick School of Art and Design, LIT


• Safiye Salih - Griffith College Dublin


• Caoimhe Hill – NCAD


• Kate O' Doherty - Limerick School of Art and Design

The 12 finalists were chosen by a select judging panel including renowned fashion photographer, Barry McCall; TV3 Xpose series producer, Debbie O’Donnell; Irish Independent’s fashion editor, Bairbre Power; owner of The Design Centre, Ashling Kilduff; Brown Thomas personal shopping manager, Katie McGrath; Arnotts head of personal shopping at Arnotts, Clara Halpin and Evoke.ie editor, Sybil Mulcahy.







The designers’ pieces will be showcased in front of key fashion media and influencers, including some of Ireland’s established designers and fashion buyers, as they compete for the title of Young Designer of the Year. Along with the coveted title prize, the winner will also get the invaluable opportunity to shoot a fashion portfolio with fashion photographer, Barry McCall.

Stay tuned with Pynck  for news of the winner..! For details on all things Dublin Fashion Festival visit www.dff.ie or become a fan on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram  #DublinFashion