Launch Of Showcase 2017

Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo returns to the RDS from Sunday, 22nd to Wednesday, 25th January 2017. The annual show has established itself as a must-see trade event, attracting buyers from Ireland and more than 20 other countries, including UK, USA, Mainland Europe and the Far East, all keen to see the latest designs from Ireland’s top brands and craft producers.

Showcase, which was founded by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland 41 years ago, enjoyed strong growth in 2016, with the number of buyers attending up 7% to 5,300, and orders placed at the fair increasing by 17% to €21.7M, equating to a full-year sales value of €121.2M.

Showcase is an international launch pad for the 450 Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople who will be unveiling their new season collections across fashion, jewellery, home and giftware over the four-day event. A particular emphasis is placed on new products to market, providing retailers with opportunities to discover and stock up on the latest design-led products, many of which are unique to the show.

New for 2017 is TextISLE, an initiative focusing on the creative potential of Irish textiles in fashion and homeware. TextISLE is a collaborative project that brings together designers and producers to develop exciting new products which will be unveiled at Showcase 2017. An advisory panel of six experts has worked with Showcase in selecting the work: Deirdre McQuillan, fashion editor of The Irish Times; John Redmond, Creative Director at Brown Thomas; Karen Fleming, Director of the Research Institute for Art and Design at Ulster University; Angela O’Kelly, Head of Design for Body and Environment at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin; Alanna Gallagher, interiors journalist; and Catherine Condell, one of Ireland’s most acclaimed fashion stylists.

Participating in TextISLE are factories such as: Avoca; Emblem Weavers; Cushendale; Mourne Textiles; Magee; and Wild Cocoon, and designers such as: Peter O’Brien; Mariad Whisker; Emma Manley; and Helen Steele, among others. The results of the creative collaborations will be introduced at a vibrant and innovative presentation during the show, designed to excite and inspire the visiting buyers.

Showcase 2017 runs from Sunday 22nd to Wednesday 25th January and is for trade attendance only. For further details on the event or to register to attend, please visit showcaseireland.com.