Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th of March 2013
Fifth annual Kerry Fashion Weekend to host Vintage Salon, Business Seminar, and 5th Annual KFW Fashion Designer Awards
Issue Date: Tuesday 4th December, 2012
Details were announced today of the fifth annual Kerry Fashion Weekend (KFW) which will be held from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th of March, 2013. Highlights will include a Vintage Salon Show on Thursday 7th; ‘The Business of Fashion’ Seminar on Friday 8th and a Gala Awards Dinner & New Collections Night in association with Image Magazine on Saturday 9th of March. For more information please visit www.kerryfashionweekend.com
The Vintage Salon Show on Thursday 7th of March in Killarney, will be styled and produced by well known vintage enthusiasts Erika Fox and Alison Nulty. This is the second year KFW has featured a dedicated vintage themed event on the programme and, once again, the remit is to produce an evening dedicated to celebrating authentic vintage style from the 1940’s to the late 80’s.
“Fashion isn’t just about frocks, but a serious business that contributes to the wealth of the nation”*. KFW are once again hosting a ‘The Business of Fashion Seminar’ on Friday 8th of March in the Carlton Hotel, Tralee, County Kerry. Managing a fashion business, is like managing any other business in terms of marketing, sales, accountancy, legal requirements and HR. Speakers this year will include experts on creating and marketing a fashion brand / label; effective use of social media and the web to tell and sell; and tips on securing media coverage from both a top Fashion Editor and PR professional. The full day seminar will also feature a “How I made It” lunch time address by a very well known international fashion designer. This year’s event is in association with the Sunday Business Post.
The prestigious KFW Fashion Designer Awards will once again be the highlight of Kerry Fashion Weekend 2013. This year, KFW will host a Gala Awards Dinner in the Carlton Hotel, Tralee on Saturday 9th of March. In association with Ireland’s top fashion glossy magazine, IMAGE. Once again, we are delighted that Editor of Image Magazine, Melanie Morris, will be Chairperson of the Judging Panel.
Nominations are now open for:
KERRY ONLY CATEGORIES
1. Kerry Fashion Designer of the Year 2013
Open to any Kerry based or Kerry born fashion designer – all disciplines.
2. KFW Kerry Fashion Businessperson of the Year Award 2013
New Category. Open to those operating boutiques and those in the fashion support / related businesses in Kerry (including hair, make up, styling and photography)
NATIONAL CATEGORIES
3. KFW Irish Accessory Designer of the Year 2013
Open to Millinery, Jewelry, Leather-goods, Footwear designers operating anywhere in the island of Ireland
4. KFW One to Watch 2013
Open to everyone in, all disciplines, who are operating a business for less than 3 years anywhere in the island of Ireland. Student collections welcome.
JUDGES ONLY CATEGORIES (not open to entry)
5. KFW Irish Fashion Designer of the Year 2013
Judges Only Award (not open to entry)
6. KFW Special Merit Award 2013
Judges Only Award (not open to entry)
Kerry Fashion Weekend is organised and promoted by Upfront PR. Official brand designers are Midpoint Creative. Stage Production is by Ray Stack Productions. KFW are delighted to welcome Sean Taaffe Hair & Beauty as official Hair Sponsors and The Carlton Hotel, Tralee, County Kerry as the official venue sponsor.
For further details contact Upfront PR.
Telephone: 066 9765016 / 086 8399115
www.upfrontgroup.eu
“Fashion isn’t just about frocks, but a serious business that contributes to the wealth of the nation”* from ‘Fashion Statement’ by Fiona Ness, Sunday Business Post, 25/11/2013
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The inaugural Kerry Fashion Weekend was held in April 2009 with the dual aim of promoting the creatives talents within the Kerry fashion design and boutique industry locally, nationally and internationally and establishing Kerry as an inward fashion tourism destination. With the support of Image Magazine, valued sponsors, local and national media, and the local fashion industry – the event has developed year on year and today is recognised as one of Ireland’s most prestigious national fashion industry award events.
Previous Winners of KFW Kerry Fashion Designer of the Year
2012 Clodagh Irwin Owens, womenswear
2011 Karyn Moriarty, womenswear
2010 Caroline Matthews, House of Caroline Atelier, Bridal
2009 Delphine Grandjouan, Bridal
Previous Winners of KFW Accessory Designer of the Year
2012 Fiona Mangan, milliner
2011 Carol Kennelly, milliner
2010 LisaDora, jeweller
2009 Kathleen McAuliffe, milliner
Previous Winners of KFW One to Watch
2012 Laura Jayne Halton, womenswear
2011 Sinead Doyle, womenswear
2010 Catriona McCarthy, womenswear
2009 Matt Doody, womenswear
Previous Winners of KFW Irish Fashion Designer of the Year (national award, introduced 2011)
2012 Natalie B Coleman, womenswear
2011 Michael Leong, milliner
Previous Winners of KFW Special Merit Award (introduced in 2010)
2012 Don O Neill, Creative Director, Theia, NYC
2011 Matt Doody, Fashion Designer
2010 Brian De Staic, Master Jeweller
Previous Judges have included
Melanie Morris (Chairperson of Judging Panel every year since 2009)
Don O Neill, Fashion Director, Theia
Joanne Hynes, Fashion Designer
Liz Greehy, Fashion Journalist and Editor of Stylebible.ie
Liadan Hynes, Fashion Editor, Sunday Independent Life Magazine
Constance Harris, Fashion Editor, Sunday Independent
Bairbre Power, Fashion Editor, Irish Independent
Louise Kennedy, Fashion Designer
Eilis Boyle, Fashion Designer