The Irish clothing and textile sector has seen a transformation over the past few years, driven by remarkably fresh and creative design standards. The workforce in this sector is now approximately 10,000 strong with exports of approximately €1b per annum.

The success of Irish fashion designers may be measured by the status that many of them enjoy internationally. The fashion industry in Ireland comprises small and medium sized companies that often depend on highly original and creative design inputs to market their products successfully. The industry is being much helped by the extraordinary creativity and reputation of Irish designers, like John Rocha and Louise Kennedy. Philip Treacy is an international byword for millinery, while Lainey Keogh is renowned for her knitwear and Maria Grachvogel for her day and evening wear. Such is the renown and prestige of Ireland’s many top fashion designers that the mere mention of their name creates immense interest and excitement among buyers internationally-and their customers. Their work is stunningly original, reflecting modern tastes and trends in fabrics and fashions

Raw materials such as wool and linen have been part of Irish life for centuries. Some areas develop very intricate local patterns and those of Aran Islands are famous worldwide. The production of linen has ancient origins. Companies such as the Irish Linen Company are famous around the world for the quality of their tableware while small companies like Hamel make children’s clothing and accessories in purest linen. Tweeds continue to be hand-woven in parts of Donegal along with hand-knotted carpets. Traditions in silk weaving can also be seen in scarves while other manufacturers offer gossamer light shawls in Merino wool. Ireland also places a strong emphasis on design education, so that the well of talent is constantly replenished. The continuing emergence of highly talented graduates from such sources as the National College of Art & Design in Dublin and the Limerick School of Fashion ensures that plenty of new, youthful talent is refreshing the fashion market in Ireland.

A number of joint initiatives are also taking place to help Irish suppliers market their products internationally. One example is the setting up of Fabric Ireland, made up of four weaving firms in the Republic and four linen weaving companies in Northern Ireland. They are now trading together as Fabric Ireland and it is envisaged that, in time, this brand name will become as well known as the Woolmark and the Real Leather symbols are for clothing and leatherwork respectively. The ethos behind this new brand is indicative of the complementary rather than competitive attitudes that are becoming more commonplace within the Irish clothing and textile industry.

This combination of age-old craft skills brought up-to-date and very inventive contemporary design has meant that Ireland now produces a whole range of exciting and appealing garments and textiles that have great appeal for international consumers.