Kerry Connections

The sixth annual Kerry Fashion Week was, by all accounts, the best yet. With all activities focussed in Killarney, the new collections fashion show on Friday, and gala awards dinner on Saturday night drew numbers of a combined 500 keen enthusiasts and industry insiders. The Friday night event at The Malton Hotel featured salon and runway-style shows, which concluded with an awesome presentation of Theia designer Don O?Neill’s spring/summer gowns. On the Saturday, proceedings moved to The Europe for a black tie dinner, fashion show and awards, as designers, milliners, key industry figures and Ireland’s best creatives were acknowledged for their input into Irish fashion. Award-winners included Helen Steele (Irish Designer of the Year), Carol Kennelly (Kerry Designer of the Year), Chloe Townsend for Willow & Clo (Accessory Designer of the Year), and model agent Anne Morgan (Business Person of the Year). The IMAGE-supported event had added allure this year, with milliner Laura Kinsella winning a coveted fashion shoot in the magazine as part of her Breakthrough Designer award. Celebrations for all lasted through the whole fabulously fashionable weekend.

Photographs by Pawel Nowak