Names to Watch in the Irish Fashion Industry for 2015

The Irish fashion industry is stronger than ever and each year, there are new players emerging, making it a rather competitive playing field. While some of the names mentioned below have been designing for quite some time, 2014 is the year they have really come to the fore. There really is something to suit every taste, from statement accessories to clean lines and modern separates. Here are a few of the names you can expect to hear more of in 2015. Elaine McGovern Having studied pattern drafting and fashion design at the Grafton Academy, Meath native Elaine worked with designer Danielle Romeril for nine months after finishing college. She then travelled to New York for a six month internship with Jen Kao before going out on her own. Her sister is a costume designer who worked on the set of Gossip Girl (remember Serena’s A-MAZ-ING wardrobe) and as Elaine says, fashion is in her blood. She set up her own label EMcG this year and her first collection is for Spring Summer 2015. A wearable modern line that cleverly ticks a number of 2015 trends including sports luxe and floral prints, there’s big things in store for this fashion maven. Sport luxe meets feminine frills Emma Manley From getting a (toy) sewing machine at the tender age of four, going it alone in NYC and an internship with Alexander McQueen, this lady has one interesting success story. The daughter of an entrepreneur and a fashion designer, Emma (see main image) launched her own line in 2010. Since then her designs have attracted huge attention, with Amy Huberman among her many fans. Last November, Emma added another string to her bow so to speak with the inclusion of a jewellery collection and the way things are going, we think 2015 could well be her year. We love the Rylie collar (€235) Alice Doherty Blackrock girl Alice has had an impressive start to her fashion career after winning the 2014 River Island Bursary. Alice received €3,500 to help kickstart her designs and after undergoing a three month internship at the high-street brand’s London studio, Alice is continuing to work within the brand across a few different departments. Draping and wire knit accessories featured strongly in her winning collection. The talented graduate has already made a splash on the style scene and we can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for her.  Fee G Fiona Heaney and her husband Don Gormley are definitely on our fashion radar at the moment. Together, the couple formed occasion wear brand Fee G and 2015 will see their second clothing line, Luke Lovely, extend further into the European market. The spring summer '15 line features striking prints in jersey fabrics, allowing for both comfort and style. Lorraine Kelly, Grainne Seoige and First Lady Sabina Higgins are Fee G converts and we think we might be about to get on board too.