Fashion meets business at LIT

THE Limerick School of Art and Design, LIT is hosting its annual fashion show this Thursday night.
Twenty of Ireland’s future fashion designers will showcase their unique collections and compete for the coveted AIB Graduate Business Development Award, which includes a bursary of €2,500 and a year’s mentoring programme with retail and fashion consultant, Eddie Shanahan and AIB’s SME specialist, Julie Lawton.
Two Clare women will be among those showing their creations. Karly Hodge from Shannon and Katherine Ramsay from Cratloe are both hoping to take the top prize at the event.
AIB is supporting graduate business development for the third year. Last year, Clare woman Sarah Melody from Bunratty launched her fashion career by winning the coveted prize and she will join Mr Shanahan and Ms Lawton on the judging panel this year.
The Miriam Mone Commemorative Award is a special award worth €1,000 and is presented to the collection that displays exceptional excellence in tailoring. The LIT award for the best use of fabric will also see one student win €1,000 towards their fashion career.
Speaking on the upcoming fashion show, Mr Shanahan said, “The Limerick School of Art and Design is truly an exceptional college with an enormous amount of talent and a deserved international reputation. Its graduates have gone on to work with some of the leading labels in the world, including Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. The students are extremely professional and take enormous pride in their work.”
Ms Lawton said, “We are delighted to support the LSAD Graduate Fashion Show for a third year. It offers the winning student a huge opportunity to launch their fashion career and AIB’s involvement in the show is to offer the winning student expert knowledge and advice on setting up their own business.”
This year, the fashion show will take place couture-style at the School of Art and Design in the LSAD Gallery, Clare Street Campus, where the architecture of the former church space promises to make it a very special occasion.
Tickets are available at the Belltable Arts Centre box office at 061 319866 or online at http://belltable.ticketsolve.com/shows/126514809/events.