Showcase Ireland a visionary experience of brands and makers
MORE than 20 countries were represented among visitors in the thousands at Showcase Ireland 2022 which closed Wednesday 3 March at the RDS Dublin Ireland, the collaboration of Enterprise Ireland and local Enterprise Offices officially opened by Irish Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste) Leo Varadkar welcoming buyers from the domestic and international markets.
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar opened Showcase Ireland 2022
Andrew Bradley of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, the DCCI
Showcase Ireland is a main driver for domestic and export businesses in the Irish design and craft sector for buyers, the expo ensuring that original Irish-made goods make their way around the world. Ireland’s Design & Crafts Council, the DCCI promotes and supports the commercial development of the industry.
Ireland’s Tánaiste was at the RDS to officially open Showcase Ireland on 27 February before a live capacity audience in the new Talks Stage, an experience distinctive from last year when he launched the expo’s first digital collaboration.
“Adversity prompts innovation and we have seen a period of creativity prompted in the experience of the last year or two,” said Leo Varadkar on returning to the live expo after two years of pandemic-enforced isolation. “Showcase is the international launchpad for Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople to unveil their new season collections. Thank you to the trade buyers as well as those joining online through Showcase Connect. Your continued support is crucial to our success.”
Showcase Ireland Chairperson Mary Palmer
Leo Clancy of Irish Government agency Enterprise Ireland
Padraig McElwee, Network Chairperson of LEO, Irelands advice and support programme for growing Irish businesses
Just last February organisers of the international expo for Irish-made designs and crafts launched Showcase Connect, the new digital platform creating the first hybrid for Showcase Ireland. Online visitors of Showcase Connect were able to source exhibitors even before the expo opened its door and connect with designers and makers.
The online digital marketplace accessible to buyers at https://showcaseireland.com, open 24 hours a day and seven days a week year-round features every exhibitor that was in the RDS for the live event.
“We have learned to do so much online and virtually, particularly when it comes to clothes and crafts and jewellery,” added Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. “It is fantastic that we can be here in person. There is no substitute to seeing something with your own eyes and feeling it with your own hands.”
Renowned Irish leather crafter Una Burke was in the Makers Studio, demonstrating her work that has been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Janet Jackson, and has featured in the Star Trek: Discovery series
Roundtable facilitator Maria Counchman of the DCCI facilitated a discussion about emerging from Covid-19 with panellists Evelyn Moynihan of the Kilkenny Group, Mark Rystall of the Abbey Mill UK and Sarah Plovanich, Senior Buer for Hammacher Schlemmer
Showcase Ireland 2022 featured the new Makers Studio where visitors were welcome to watch designers and makers create their crafts and interact with the process while roundtable discussions each day at the Talks Stage revealed current trends in the Irish craft experience.
Tags: Accessories Arts & Culture Fashion Homeware Jewellery Showcase Ireland Enterprise Ireland LEO DCCI
