LISTEN - Local designers to showcase during London Fashion Week

by Gráinne Connolly

Ten ‘up and coming’ local designers have arrived in London today (Tuesday 13th February), for the unique opportunity to showcase their collections to an audience of "global fashion experts" and international press at an exclusive exhibitor event during London Fashion Week. 

The ten designers, known as the Derry Design Collective, were selected following a special 'pitching' event held at the Fashion and Textile Design Centre on Shipquay Street last month. 
 

A total of 15 designers put forward their pitch to judges including John Paul Doherty of John Paul Couture and industry specialist Jenny Holloway, CEO of renowned Fashion Enter London (FEL). 

Derry City and Strabane District Council, in partnership with the Fashion & Textile Design Centre and Fashion Enter London held the ‘pitching’ competition as part of the Designer Business Start Up Programme. 

That supports emerging designers and helps to take them commercially to market through a series of workshops led by industry experts.

The bespoke scheme, which is also sponsored by Invest NI, draws on the expertise of Jenny Holloway to disseminate ‘best practice’ –  ensuring local designers are empowered and provided with essential skills training, knowledge and the tools to develop their businesses effectively and efficiently.

Helen Quigley, Chief Executive of the Inner City Trust, said that the opportunity being created for our local designers is the culmination of the partnership working that has taken place in the Fashion & Textile Design Centre over the last number of years.

This work has combined significant support from the team at the Inner City Trust, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Invest NI and Fashion Enter, and represents a commitment in presenting our local talent in a global setting.

Q Radio's been talking to one of the local designers, Joanne Doherty who's originally from Fintona in Co.Tyrone but has been living in Derry-Londonderry for around 20 years with her husband Kevin. 

She has her own laser business called 'Piece Makers' that mainly featured wood based tourism products, before moving on to the fashion side: 

Joanne's been telling Q Radio how unique and exciting this opportunity will be for herself and the other local designers taking part: 

Danielle McNally, Business Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council, said:

“I am delighted that the ten winners will be able to avail of this incredible opportunity – and will benefit from the hands-on experience, technical training and professional mentoring from Fashion Enter London.

 “Council is delighted to be working with the renowned Fashion Enter team on this fantastic initiative, providing unique opportunities for our emerging designers to work with leading industry experts to commercialise their design talents. 

 “We have a wealth of local design talent, and ultimately this programme will provide the tools and the opportunities required to support designers in making their fashion or textile business a reality.

 “Indeed, this programme aims to give emerging local designers an invaluable profile boost by presenting them to an international audience during one of the most important weeks of the fashion calendar.”