The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
A night of style and fashion in Tralee to rival the absolute best of Paris, Milan and London
PARIS, Milan and New York couldn’t compete with the style standards in Tralee on Sunday night. The Dome was transformed into a haven for top Irish and international designers, crowds of fashionistas from all over the country and some very special guests for one of the biggest style events on the calendar, the Rose of Tralee Autumn Winter Fashion Show.
The night was at the forefront of showcasing new autumn/winter stock in stores in Munster and along with this, it showed a great appreciation for individual, bespoke and emerging design talent with the Rose of Tralee Designer of the Year Award sponsored by The Zip Yard, along with acknowledgement of the incredible style of attendees with the Best Dressed Lady Award.
The night kicked off with a wine reception at 7.30pm and soon after, the swarms of sequins, high heels and headpieces all gathered in the Dome for an opening performance from Irish Dancing duo Brian Shinners and Peg O’Connor who set the tone for the night with their upbeat recital to Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl.
The Designer of the Year Award was a brilliant start to the fashion showcase as all eyes were on the catwalk to scope out the cream of the clothes crop amongst immense talent from ten designers.
Erika Fox, well-known blogger Retro Flame and a Glenbeigh native but currently based in New York, had one of the biggest tasks of the night co-judging the Designer of the Year Award with Caroline Wallace, Managing Director of The Zip Yard. After tough deliberations, they announced Catriona Hanly as the winner at the beginning of the second half of the show.
Erika and 2017 Rose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne were on a mission for the night as they judged the Best Dressed Lady, awarding Denise Healy of Killarney with the title.
Denise is no stranger to the style stakes, having won Best Dressed Lady at Dawn Milk Ladies Day at the Killarney Races in 2014.
When The Kerryman spoke to Erika and Jennifer, they both said they feel the night is a fantastic representation of the incredible talent in the Irish fashion industry from the designers, to the models and of course, the audience members.
“The style really wasn’t just on the catwalk! Everyone looks incredible, trying to choose a best dressed was a near impossible task,” Erika said.
“I was so excited when I was asked to attend as a judge, I have actually never even been to this fashion show, so this makes it even more special for me.
“This has just topped off a wonderful and busy three weeks I have had back in Ireland, it’s so nice to meet so many people and take so many selfies! I’m back in New York this week with some exciting things ahead but I will be thinking of tonight for a long time. It’s great to be amongst my Kerry people!”
The Autumn Winter Fashion Show was sure to give all some great inspiration for dressing for the season ahead with a showcase of brand new collections from various stores across Munster. The list of stores catered for all ages, sizes and events and included Hannons Fashion Shop Castleisland, Ryles Menswear Tralee, Dani’s Closet Limerick and Swamp. The models on the night from the Holman Lee Agency were glammed up by CH Chemist, Cathriona’s Hair Group and all shoes worn on the night were from Footprints Shoe Boutique in Listowel.
Special guest model and Dancing with the Stars contestant Alannah Beirne stole the show on the night modelling designs by last year’s Rose of Tralee Designer of the Year Tina Griffin and headpieces by Carol Kennelly.
A raffle was also held on the night with proceeds going to the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
The show is produced by Holman Lee Agency, Limerick and Celia Holman Lee came out from behind the curtain to have the last word of the night, in delight at having a double celebration - a successful night on the catwalk along with a successful day for Limerick in Croke Park.