ARC Fashion Show

On the 27th of March 2025, I attended the ARC Designer Fashion Show at the RDS in Dublin to get a flavour of the top Irish designers of the moment.

The show, which supports a great cause—100% of the ticket price goes directly to cancer support centres—offered a refreshing catwalk where the work of twenty-six Irish designers and one Spanish designer based in Ireland was showcased. Styles ranged from the clean lines and everyday wear of some designers to the more quirky and colourful creations of others. Some incorporated strong elements of Irish heritage, such as Aran Island-inspired knitwear, while others focused on denim, drapey ethereal silk dresses, tailored pieces with a twist, and even bridal wear.

Although most of the designs were worn by professional models, some of the "angels" (cancer survivors) were dressed in the designers’ creations—a thoughtful and empowering gesture for these women.

The variety of cuts, fabrics, and styles at the event highlighted the richness of Ireland’s rising designer market. Some designers emphasised practicality and comfort, while others added drama to their creations. Colour palettes ranged from wearable neutrals and muted tones to rich, bright, contrasting colours. Cuts varied too, with some showcasing clean, tailored shapes and others opting for oversized, flowy silhouettes.

Designers like Helen Cody and Orla Langan introduced many denim pieces into their collections. Cody leaned into clean lines, pairing denim jackets with white dresses or denim trousers with crisp white shirts, while Langan played with bold combinations, such as denim pants and oversized patchwork denim shirts.

Knitwear was also heavily featured, drawing from Ireland’s strong textile traditions. Labels like Miss She's Got Knits, Urban Aran, and Laura Chambers used traditional techniques in modern ways. Miss She's Got Knits mixed colourful, casual jumpers with elegant tulle maxi skirts. Urban Aran focused on knitted dresses and cardigans in rich hues like fuchsia, green, and pink, sometimes pairing tailored pants with sleeveless knitwear. Laura Chambers combined flowy, long skirts with bright or contrasting jumpers, like a red skirt with a pink knit or white linen trousers with a purple jumper.

Tailoring was prominent in the collections of Noema James and Ted 1942, with tailored suits featuring shorts and blazers, or tartan strapless tops paired with wide-leg pants. Ted 1942 also presented simple, wearable shirtdresses in neutral tones. Jack Murphy’s collection offered a fresh take on tailoring, with culottes, bermuda shorts, and blazers in mainly neutral tones. Jennifer Slattery presented neutral, relaxed silhouettes, such as a long black flowy skirt with an oversized white jumper, and cigarette pants paired with voluminous blouses.

Designers like Amy Anderson of Kindred of Ireland, Linda Wilson, and Moon + Mellow took a more maximalist approach, favouring voluminous, flowy shapes and bright colours. Anderson featured oversized pink co-ords and green flowy dresses. Wilson leaned into floral prints, oversized sleeves, and asymmetric shapes. Moon + Mellow played with block colours and soft printed pieces.

Feminine designs dominated the collections of Cobbler’s Lane and Silvia Ortega. Cobbler’s Lane featured a lot of pinks, with flowy long dresses and bold red bows. Silvia Ortega worked mainly in blues, with a focus on bows and layered looks, using cotton, silk, and chiffon.

An Tate also leaned into a feminine style, offering full, flowy midi dresses, asymmetric skirts, and puff-sleeve blouses in creams, reds, pinks, and soft blues.

Swimwear made its appearance too, courtesy of Mona Swims, who presented classic swimsuits paired with printed kaftans and flowy dresses.

Sarah Foy’s wedding collection was a highlight, featuring various styles: long, flowy backless dresses with thigh-high slits, short dresses with overcoats, and beautiful embellished gowns.

International influences were felt in Emerald/Wax’s colourful kimonos and culottes, and FeRi and Siobhan Daly Designs’ Asian-meets-70s aesthetic. Caroline Duffy showcased colourful, asymmetric dresses with African-inspired prints, while Eadach by Sara O’Neil offered pyjama-style silk co-ords and flowing silk dresses with Asian influences.

Helen Hayes presented a minimalist, fresh style, with navy and black halter-neck dresses and tailored co-ords featuring ribbon accents. Similarly, Olwen Bourke leaned toward a minimal style with subtle detailing—cropped jackets, ruffled skirts, and clean silhouettes.

Everyday, minimalistic designs were evident in Magee 1866 and Landa's collections, focusing on relaxed cropped trousers, white shirts, and trench coats in neutral or tartan patterns. Ejay Griffin mixed Irish heritage with clean lines, offering tartan and tweed designs alongside asymmetrical dresses.

Fauna, Capulet & Montague introduced playful nautical influences reminiscent of the '80s and early '90s, combining bright shorts, knitted jumpers, and traditional navy elements.

Conclusion:

The ARC Fashion Show showcased an impressive range of styles, trends, and cuts from today’s Irish fashion scene. It was essential viewing for any stylist, designer, or fashion enthusiast with a deep interest in Irish fashion.