Showcase Expo brings Irish craft and design to global market

Kelly (left) wears a yellow ochre herringbone tweed coat and textured scarf by Avoca; Thalia (centre) wears a multicoloured mosaic knit sweater by Mary Callan; Eve wears a lime tailored wool coat over tweed trouser suit, by Celtic Tweeds Photos: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Alan O'Keeffe

Showcase - Ireland's International Creative Expo - will be held at the RDS in Dublin from January 21 to 24.

The annual trade fair enables 450 of Ireland's top designers and manufacturers to present their latest work to more than 5,000 retail buyers from 21 countries.

Last year's show generated sales of more than €21m.

Showcase is a launch pad for Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople who unveil their new season collections across fashion, jewellery, home and giftware.

Thalia wears a rust sweater with khaki and rust knit pencil skirt by Ros Duke for a preview of some of the Irish fashion and textile designs at Showcase 2018, at the RDS. Photos: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

For 2018, Showcase introduces MADE/Slow, a presentation of quality products designed and made in Ireland, providing sustainable rural employment through the combination of technology and traditional production methods.

Design Ireland will feature 80 leading contemporary Irish brands chosen by an independent jury for their creativity, innovation and craftsmanship.

Karen Hennessy, chief executive of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, said: "Inspiring and supporting client companies to scale and successfully compete both at home and abroad is central to our strategy in growing the international reputation and commercial potential of Irish design and craft."