A contemporary icon in Irish design
St Brigid’s influence on meaning, making and women’s rights
To celebrate St Brigid’s Day, Embassy Copenhagen hosted a discussion and showcase of Irish design, held in parallel with Copenhagen Fashion Week 2024.
This event is part of an ongoing project, under Ireland's Nordic Strategy, to promote and amplify Irish design and designers in Denmark and across the Nordic region.
Contemporary influence of mythology and folklore
The St Brigid's Day event featured an engaging conversation between award-winning Irish designer Alison Conneely and anthropologist Sara O’Rourke, on the story of St Brigid and the contemporary influence of mythology and folklore around her on Irish creativity and design, including in driving social change in Ireland.
Sara spoke about the historic significance of St Brigid, including in the context of the changing political, economic and social landscape in Ireland today, while Alison shared her perspectives on St Brigid’s influence on art and design.
'Ascension' tapestry
The striking tapestry ‘Ascension’ from their project 'Hail Thee We Come: In Reveries of Change’, commissioned by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), was displayed at the event.
Set in Derrigimlagh bog in Connemara, the evocative work shows a female figure rising from the lily bed, described as “a global call to action against war, misogyny, sexism and violence against women”.
Emerging Irish fashion designers
Discover more about each of the designers through the profiles linked in the image gallery below:
The Embassy also displayed the latest collections of four young, emerging Irish fashion designers at the event. Baroque-inspired Ríon Hannora displayed her collection of raw unbleached cotton canvas pieces, which allow the design to speak for itself without deferring to bright colours.
Seeking Judy founder Megan McGuigan showcased her vibrant and eclectic collection of knits and bags inspired by ideas of escapism and the personification of nature through cartoon-like illustrations.
Megan Nolan Walsh, who designs under the name MNW, also showcased knitwear with her iconic Claddagh motif on hats and scarves, as well as comfortable tops adorned with the words Éire.
Copenhagen-based Irish designer Caoimhe Dowling, exhibited her latest collection ‘Turning Blue’, an homage to the Irish landscape, created in collaboration with Donegal Yarns and an artisanal weaving studio in Scotland.
Female empowerment
Over 100 guests attended the event including representatives from Danish design, fashion and architecture, as well as other contacts and members of the Irish community.
After the presentations, guests engaged in a lively interactive discussion, including on female empowerment in less privileged parts of the world, and also had the opportunity to meet the young designers and see their work up close. As one attendee noted on social media after the event:
"I'm still dreaming of the beautiful designs and powerful feminist messages presented by the Irish Embassy in Denmark on Imbolc last week. St Brigid's influence goes far beyond weaving grass crosses and inspires many today to stand up for women's rights."