Supermodel's 'full circle moment' as Ireland Fashion Week impresses

Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha has described Ireland's fashion scene as "amazing" and said a national fashion week "should have probably happened years ago", after making her first visit to the country.

Leading fashion industry figures, including activist and model Alana Hadid, descended on Slane Castle in County Meath earlier this week as Ireland Fashion Week got under way.

Now in its second year, more than 80 designers are taking part in the six-day event, which is billed as a showcase for Irish fashion, culture and creativity with shows, talks and exhibitions planned across the country.

Rocha, whose career spans more than 20 years, said modelling at the event felt like a "full circle moment", as she was first discovered at an Irish dancing competition as a teenager.

Despite growing up closely connected to her Irish heritage (on both sides of her family), and spending 18 years as a dancer, Rocha said she had never previously had the chance to visit the island.

"I'm very proud of, the fact that I am Irish, I am an Irish dancer, and it is the special thing about me, and so now it's exciting to bring myself here."

Rocha said she had been "truly wowed" by the scale and quality of homegrown design talent on display, and hopes the event will ensure creatives build successful careers without feeling they have to move abroad.

"I really hope that this does much more than just shine a light," she told BBC News NI. "That it actually really helps them to maybe stay here or to really figure out what's the next steps for them."

Rocha added: "They're not just sort of good. They're amazing."

While much of the fashion industry is focused on 'The Big Four' - London, Paris, Milan and New York - Rocha said smaller fashion weeks can benefit communities.

With a changing, digital-first industry, designers can be "really just honing their craft" at home, she added.

Comparing the event to TV show Project Runway, which Rocha hosts, she said it's important to "expose the next generation" to fashion and help them see "that this is local" and accessible.

"I think if we've done that, we've done a good job."

Now in its second year, the festival has expanded significantly since its 2025 launch and is a platform to help designers build opportunities at home and abroad.

An all-island event, several designers and brands from Northern Ireland are included in the programme.

It comes as Irish fashion is experiencing a breakthrough moment, with internationally-recognised designers like Sinéad O'Dwyer, Simone Rocha and Jonathan Anderson referencing their heritage in their collections.

In December, prestigious French fashion house Dior- steered by Magherafelt-born Anderson - will be holding its first runway show in Ireland.

Ireland Fashion Week founder Ashley McDonnell said this year's event is focused on "building on the momentum" of 2025 and demonstrating what can be achieved when Irish fashion is viewed as an industry rather than a series of individual successes.

She said the island has "extraordinary designers", but that talent must be matched by "building an ecosystem" of investment, commercial opportunities, international exposure and stronger support structures.

This year's programme reflects that ambition. Alongside runway shows, it includes industry discussions, graduate showcases and networking events designed to connect designers with buyers, investors and international media.

Among those taking part was County Tyrone designer Sarah Jayne Lavery, founder of Charlotte & Tess, based in the Linen Green in Moy, and its in-house label Atelier, which launched just two years ago.

Speaking after showing her collection as part of the event's Irish Roots presentation, she described the experience as a milestone.

"Having my own brand and designing is genuinely a dream of mine," she told BBC News NI.

Lavery was one of 11 designers selected for the showcase following an application and interview process.

Her collection featured Irish materials including Donegal tweed, Aran wool and linen, reflecting the show's focus on heritage and craftsmanship.

Discovering Hadid would be wearing one of her designs was an unexpected highlight.

"She was our final look. I didn't know that she was walking for me until I arrived... I was just delighted," she explained.

The designer believes events like Ireland Fashion Week help to change perceptions of the industry and put creatives on "an international stage".

"I think Ireland is a really creative space at the moment. I think it's very exciting," she said.

She said organisers were shining a spotlight on Irish talent and putting "fashion at the forefront".

The theme of this year's event was 'Coming Home', celebrating Irish creativity, heritage and the designers returning to showcase their work.

For Lavery, the message was clear.

"We have so much talent and creativity here, we have so many beautiful fabrics that lots of the designers are using.

"I would encourage any Irish designer to get involved next year."

The next generation of fashion talent is also taking centre stage at the event, with Belfast-based knitwear designer Grace Bowman "honoured" to be among 44 creatives selected for the graduate runway showcase.

"That extra support, that extra exposure, the networking – it's all so important to build a community here in Ireland, as well as spreading our design around. We're really making everyone have access to Irish design," she said.

The 22-year-old, who launched her own label after studying at Ulster University and completing a placement with Inis Meáin Knitting Company, draws inspiration from the Irish landscape and traditional Irish craftsmanship.

Bowman will present her collection which combines deadstock linen and organic cotton with abstract Celtic knot motifs and hand-embroidered details.

She said it's "so important" to look back on traditional techniques and "embrace them" alongside contemporary design methods.

"I'm from Belfast so the linen industry has such an historical impact here. It's great to be able to use that within my work and really have Irish materials supported within our industry," she said.

"I'm very excited to see everyone else's work on the runway... It will be a fantastic showcase of Irish design and an amazing platform for emerging designers."