Leading designers and makers featured in Showcase 2020 Design Ireland
THE 44th annual Showcase 2020 at Dublin’s RDS featured nearly 70 leading designers and makers, hand-picked by a panel of international retail experts for their creativity and innovation as well as craftmanship and market potential.
International businesses flocked to Showcase Ireland for seasonal gift and decorative items
Presented by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), Design Ireland showcased the best in product development from Sunday to Wednesday, 19th-22nd January to buyers from 26 countries worldwide.
Bailie Stores’ Kevin Smith, Newgrange Living’s David Carroll, centre, and Claire Cherm
Design Ireland was a key element at Showcase 2020 and a real opportunity for leading craftspeople to develop innovation with support from Enterprise Ireland.
Kathleen Leadbetter of Jerpoint Glass at Showcase Ireland
“It does everything for its members,” said DCCI’s Patricia Cleary-Greaney when she spoke with Pynck.com at Showcase 2020. “It helps with funding, web and business training, really supporting the work of designers.”
Galway crystal chandeliers on display at Showcase Ireland
Design innovation is open to jewellers, hand-blown glass makers, potters, woodworkers and artists as well as weavers among others, such as Mourne Textiles based in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Mourne Weavers & Textiles’ Karen Hay-Edie and Mario Sierra at Showcase Ireland
“We have brought back production, training new apprentices who are all local and making our products in Ireland,” said Mario Sierra, a third-generation weaver. “The new mill means we can weave our Mourne Textiles designs ourselves while keeping our quality.”
The Glen Gallery’s Ann Feeley, left, and Michelle Murphy at Showcase Ireland
Showcase 2020 included the work of emerging crafts and businesspeople across Ireland, supported by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO).
Soul Engraver’s handcrafter Brian Dunne and wife Niamh Dunne at Showcase Ireland
Jenny Kiernan of Scribble & Stone, Dublin, Ireland
Irish fashion designers and fine artists Jill and Gill won the Design & Crafts Council Design Ireland Award at this year’s Showcase while jewellery designer Filip Vanas was presented with the DCCI Innovation and Craftsmanship Award, and Oxmantown Skincare won the Local Enterprise Showcase Award.
The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland presented Design Ireland at Showcase Ireland
The overall best product award at Showcase 2020, chosen from among nearly 500 exhibitors went to Studio Donegal while best product category winners were McNutt of Donegal, Home; Badly Made Books, Gift; Studio Donegal, Fashion and Filip Vanas Designs, Jewellery.
