The following are the 12 finalists in the KFW Fashion Designer Awards 2012.

We will upload individual profiles of each finalist over the next week.

Thank you to everyone who entered. We are delighted to report that we received an exceptional number and standard of entries this year. This is testament to the amazing creative designer talent in Ireland today and, also the on going support of our main sponsors IMAGE magazine and Killarney Crystal, as well as the valued exposure given to KFW by the media and the support and goodwill of businesses in Kerry.

As many of the finalists are eligible to compete in more than one category, judges have not categorised any of the finalists at this stage.

THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE KFW FASHION AWARDS 2012 IN THE PAVILION AT BALLYGARRY HOUSE HOTEL ON THURSDAY 12TH OF APRIL 2012.
Doors open at 7pm. Champagne & Canapes Reception. Show starts at 8pm.

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Karen Flannery
Karen is a native of Dingle town, she attended the prestigious Limerick School of Art and Design where she graduated in fashion design. After working for a number of years in different areas of design Karen discovered a love of fascinators and hats at Mallow College of Tailoring. Karen’s current work is mainly Sinamay fascinators. Fascinators can be custom designed to match any outfit if you can’t find what you are looking for in the gallery. http://www.karenflanneryart.com

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Laura Jayne Halton
Womenswear fashion designer, Laura Jayne Halton is a graduate of the National Furniture College of Ireland @ Letterfrack, Co. Galway, graduating in Furniture Design & manufacturing technology in 2004, but with roots now firmly placed in the specialized areas of creative design.

In the past 7 years Laura Jayne has delved into the creative and design world, fine tuning her skills as an artist, illustrator and fashion designer. She has lived and worked for years in both Australia and New York City and is now based in Galway.

Noteworthy projects include:

Artistic illustrations for Sarah Jessica Parker’s fragrance campaign and website, working in conjunction with Iris Global marketing NYC and Coty Fragrances International.

Fashion design featured in the Lunasa design show in the Wandesford Quay Gallery as part of Cork Craft Month 2011

Shortlisted for Designer of the Year at Cork Fashion Week 2011 at the Historic Triskel Arts Centre @ Christchurch

Fashion design – student designer of the year nominee at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2010.

http://www.laurajaynehalton.com/

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Aoife Hannon
Having completed a degree in Marketing and an add-on in auctioneering I worked in those industries for several years.  However, this left my creative side unfulfilled!  I studied Design & Tailoring part-time in Mallow, whilst also doing several short Millinery courses in the UK.
Around this time I won Best-dressed Lady at Listowel races wearing one of my own creations, which sparked the notion to set up a small, couture Millinery business in my own home.

To expand my knowledge and skill I have continued to do short courses in Ireland including 5 courses with renowned Milliner Lina Stein.  Last year saw me move to a dedicated studio and showroom in Listowel Town as my business continues to expand.

I offer a bespoke product, a personalised tailor-made service to design a one-of-a-kind creation to please my client.  Aside from my move, another highlight of last year was making a pillbox hat for the Royal Wedding – this has meant a huge interest in my hats from the British market – in particular horse-owners and trainers!.  In addition to individual orders I have just received quite a large order from a British buyer with another buyer on board for Autumn/Winter 2012.
Aoife Hannon,1 Courthouse Road,Listowel,Co. Kerry.
087 3209249    aoifehats@gmail.com
www.aoifehannon.ie ( being revamped at moment)
www.facebook.com/AoifeHannonDesigns

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Clodagh Irwin Owens
“I am a clothing, jewellery, accessories, and hat designer….. I love design!  

I have opened the Clodagh Irwin Owens Design studio in Killorglin, Co.Kerry.
A UCC graduate with an Hons Degree in Economics and German & Postgrad TDip in Computers. (Worked in Fexco Financial Services for 5 years as an accounts manager with clients such as Blarney Woollen Mills, Waterford Crystal, Adare Manor, Jurys Hotels and Harrods London.)

I returned to my dream of studying fashion design & completed a 3 year course in Mallow College of Design and Tailoring & Post Grad in Millinery in London College of Art and Design.  During this time, I was chosen to showcase at the Jim Kemmy Student Fashion Awards & one of only 8 students nationwide to showcase at the UCD Fashion Show in the Point Theater in Dublin. I was also the Buyer, Merchandiser, Director of ENVY Boutique Killarney for 5 years, winning RSVP Boutique of the Year 2007.

My designs have been awarded RDS Dublin Horse Show Overall Winner of Best Dressed in 2009 – Emir O’Shea wore a linen mix silver beige jumpsuit and oversized hat.
In 2010, my design was worn by Emir O’Shea winning the Killarney Races Queen of Fashion – Cream and Blush silk and lace dress with cream beaded coat, and white feather hat.

In 2011, Emir O’Shea won the title of Newbridge Silverware Style Icon wearing an Audrey Hepburn inspired pink & white outfit and hat.

I love drawing designs, drafting designs , cutting designs, sewing, beading outfits, wiring hats, I love Fashion!!”
Clodagh Irwin Owens
Facebook Page – Clodagh Irwin Owens Design
086 8040491.

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Sinead Madden
Sinéad Madden a native from Ennis, Co Clare embarked in designing and creating headpieces in Jan 2012.  As a qualified Interior designer creativity as always played centre stage in Sinead’s life.  The idea of hat making became an unfound love affair after been introduced by Lina Stein in Oct 2011 when Sinéad attended a workshop with the talented creator of the hat worn by Suzanne Mc Garry, winner of best dressed lady at Galway 2011.

As a child Sinéad had a love for arts and crafts especially crochet, embroidery and knitting with some off her work winning local awards.  After leaving school she went on to study Interior Design with Rhodec International London and worked in the industry for many years. With interior design work scarce and her love for colour and creativity Sinead researched courses in millinery and has never looked back.

Each piece is handcrafted from sinamay or buckram and they are embellished with pearls, diamanté, feathers and veiling. Sinead works closely with her clients to create bespoke headpieces uniquely designed for the individual.

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Fiona Mangan
As one of the fastest growing names in Irish Millinery, Fiona Mangan is turning heads with her visually captivating headwear. Since setting up her Millinery label less than 2 years ago, she has been short-listed for three prestigious fashion Awards in 2011 and has been short-listed for the second year running for the Fashion Innovation Awards in 2012 which is taking place in April.

Fiona has a degree in Architecture from DIT Bolton Street Dublin and practised as an Architect for 10 years. With the downturn in the construction industry, she switched her design focus to her lifelong passion, fashion. For the most part, Fiona is self trained although she completed some dress design and millinery tuition. Combining this with her background in Architecture, she creates headwear that is unequivocally unique and iconic.

Fiona is driven by her innate raw talent and creates beautiful bespoke hats and headwear. Her style is edgy with a distinctly fresh and contemporary quality. Unique textures and textiles are incorporated into Fiona’s designs. Using traditional millinery techniques along with both traditional and unconventional materials she creates truly original and a one-off creations.

Her appreciation of form, proportion, composition and structure comes from her career as an architect. Her work is also influenced by the vintage and retro eras, clean cut sculpture and classic millinery forms.

Fiona’s headwear reflects the modern woman – the delicate, ethereal female, that is still edgy, strong and unyielding.

Further details on www.fionamangan.com

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Sharleen McCaffery
Sharleen’s label caters for the style conscious lady who desires exceptional quality clothing but at a reasonable price. Every garment is specifically designed for the client and is a once-off piece. Women who are frustrated at not being able to find an item with a wow factor in any boutique can indulge their style fantasies by commissioning a unique design that exudes sophistication and cutting edge style. Sharleen’s designs are modern yet echo classic themes and are guaranteed to be a timeless, highly covetable addition to an eye-catching wardrobe. The carefully chosen fabrics are rich, luxurious and individually sourced from multiple suppliers. The craftsmanship, tailoring and attention to detail she brings to the manufacture of her garments are impeccable.

Sharleen originated from Co. Down, in the village of Hilltown near the Mourne mountains. She comes from a creative family and has a long history of dressmaking in her family. Fashion is always something Sharleen has been interested in and she has developed a great affection for luxury fabrics. Sharleen commenced her studies in Southern Regional College in Newry, progressing to Limerick School of Art & Design where she completed her degree in fashion design in 2005.

Sharleen has since been creating and styling for friends and family before she decided to start her own business in 2010 with the kind assistance of Westmeath County Enterprise Board.

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Antoinette O Mahony
I am most happy when I’m contemplating in my creative world.  Be it walking in the countryside, Banna Strand or having quiet time.  I am presented with the most wonderful ideas.  I see this as life energy working through me, I am the channel.

My name is Antoinette O’Mahony.  I am married with two daughters aged twelve and ten.  Creativity has been a major part of my life from a very young age.  My earliest memory is making necklaces out of oyster shells with leather thongs!

Initially I trained as a Montessori teacher at St Nicholas Montessori College, London and subsequently worked in the childcare area for 24 years.

In 2008 I made a ‘wow’ hat for my nieces wedding, however I found the process frustrating because I didn’t have basic Millinery skills.  My interest grew from there and decided to take it further. I trained in Millinery and Jewellery-making with Janette Pegley Reed, taking specific courses over a period of two years (classic hat making, pillar boxes, felt hat making, bridal, siminay/feather fascinators, jewellery etc). I have since retired from teaching and started my millinery/jewellery business in April 2010.
I get my inspiration from clothes and my clients naturally, but also from the many walks I take on the little boreen beside where I live….the ideas just flow.  My workshop and studio are attached to my residence and I see clients on an appointment basis only.  I feature my work at local fashion shows and wedding fairs.
Life is good today………… Antoinette

http://antoinetteomahony.com/

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Suzie Mahony
Over the last five years Milliner, Suzie Mahony has created a name for herself both nationally and internationally as the milliner of choice for ladies attending glamorous events from Weddings to Race meetings.  Suzie’s collections are available in many leading boutiques throughout Ireland and her regular Pop-Up Shop at House of Fraser Dundrum has drawn fashionistas nationwide.  2012 saw Suzie showing her collection at Showcase Ireland at the RDS where she secured international interest in her designs.  She has won many awards including the international Hatty Award 2008, Network Galway Award 2009,  winner of ‘I Do’ Wedding Hat Supplier 2011,  Innovation Awards Finalist 2011/12 and her designs have won ‘Best Dressed’ at many race meetings including two in a row at Punchestown 2010.   Suzie hosts the ‘Most Appropriately Dressed Lady’ Competition annually at the Galway Races.  Her designs have been worn by many TV personalities including Amanda Brunker, Karen Koster, Glenda Gilson and Kathryn Thomas.  Mary Byrne wore one of Suzie’s creations for the X Factor Semi-Finals.

Suzie is constantly learning and evolving and has trained with many established Milliners including Ian Bennett, Milliner to the Queen. For more about Suzie Mahony Designs visit: www.suziemahonydesigns.ie

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Valerie O Shea
Valerie O Shea is a 20-year-old budding designer from Glengarriff, West Cork. From a young age she had an interest in dress making and this continued into her teenage years when she chose to undertake a 2 year fashion design course in St. Johns Central College Cork. During this time she entered many competitions including Griffith College Reinvent Fashion Competition in 2011. She performed exceptionally well reaching the final 5 and had her outfit showcased in the college’s end-of-year show.

Valerie’s designs feature her ever-present girly and feminine twists while retaining an elegant feel. Some of her favourite fabrics to work with are lace and chiffon. She enjoys browsing through thrift shops searching for clothes and accessories she can breathe new life into.
She decided to enter Cork Fashion Week’s Newcomer Award on the 24th September 2011, challenging herself with the task of creating her first collection and set new standards for her to achieve. She is currently in her 3rd year of studies which she is doing in Mallow College of Design and Tailoring and in future year’s hopes to gain as much experience as she can within the fashion design world.

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Edel Staunton
Having previously worked in graphic design, in 2010 I turned my artistic side to Millinery, where I have found a passion and keen interest in my work and creations. I use traditional millinery blocking techniques to create one off pieces that make a beautiful impact. I like to work with felt, sinamay, straw and then hand sew to embellish with ribbon, sequins, beading, feathers and the occasional lucky find of vintage lace.

I have been noted as one to watch, as an up and coming milliner in Ireland. With an exciting first year I have been featured on several TV fashion slots on RTE and TV3 and in Ireland’s Fashion magazines. Recently I was commissioned to make the headpiece for the best dressed lady in the Rásái na Gaillimhe 2 drama on TG4. I have had numerous finalists in Best Dressed Ladies Competitions and the Best Dressed Winner at the Galway Clarenbridge Festival last August.

Each season since my launch, I have created a unique collection and push boundaries to create signature pieces in vibrant bold colours, a perfect mix of textures, elaborate designs and acute attention to detail. While ensuring that each piece is comfortable to wear.
Edel Staunton Millinery
www.edelstaunton.com
086-8733431

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Charlotte Verbeek
Born in the Netherlands, Charlotte Verbeek settled near Kenmare, Co Kerry in 1997.

She is an accomplished artist with a background in textiles and teaching. She has travelled extensively and has lived on five different continents. This exposure to different global cultures has influenced and shaped a truly individual style.

She now works from her studio in Dawros. located on the Beara peninsula just outside Kenmare where she draws inspiration from the stunning landscapes throughout the seasons.

Her studies in metalsmithing and glass bead making in the USA , Germany, UK and Ireland enable her to incorporate various techniques in her designs including flame worked handmade beads. She utilizes high quality contemporary components together with a large collection of antique trading beads and old jewellery artifacts to realize her original designs.

She has exhibited and sold her work at various locations around the World including Damascus, Beirut and West Africa, including collaborations with textile artists and sculptors

Charlotte is also a member of the recently formed Kenmare Art Guild.

The jewellery can be viewed at Dawros Gallery adjacent to the studio or at www.CharlotteVerbeek.com