Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo – is returning to the RDS, Dublin, from Sunday January 20 to Wednesday January 23, where among the highlights of the show will be the premiere of the fashion film, Fí, (meaning to weave a fabric or a story), directed by celebrated filmmaker Perry Ogden, and styled by Paula Hughes.
The film was commissioned by Showcase to highlight the breadth of creative and manufacturing talent in Ireland’s fashion and textile sector, renowned for its designs and quality products, positively contributing to the idea of a circular economy while sustaining regional and rural communities across Ireland.
Fí features the work of over 20 designers and will be shown twice daily in the Minerva Suite at the RDS.
Now in its 43rd year, Showcase is one of Ireland’s most important international trade fairs and will be welcoming trade buyers from 2,580 retail businesses and 26 countries worldwide.
Sectors include fashion, jewellery, home and giftware that’s designed and made in Ireland, much of which is unique to the show. This year, there will be over 400 designers, manufacturers and craftspeople participating, including 70 companies who will be exhibiting at Showcase for the first time.
In 2018, attending buyers placed B2B sales orders of €23.9 million over the four days, an increase of 12.7% on the previous year, equating to annual revenues of €152.5 million for exhibitors. The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), which organises Showcase each year, is optimistic that the fair will enjoy strong growth again in 2019 despite international headwinds.
Showcase is presented on behalf of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
Visitors will be able to learn more about global trends by attending an extensive retail seminar programme over the four days of the show, featuring top international industry speakers who will be delivering workshops and daily seminars.
Visit www.showcaseireland.com
Top: Among the Irish designed and made products at Showcase in Dublin will be a sweater from Aran Woollen Mills, a scarf from Debbie Millington and a bag from Holden Leathergoods.
