Local designers vie for fashion crown at awards

FIVE Kerry designers have been shortlisted among 12 talented finalists from around Ireland in this year's Kerry Fashion Weekend (KFW) Fashion Designer Awards.

Designers from Ardfert, Dingle, Listowel, Killorglin and Kenmare will compete with fellow creators from Galway, Ennis, Mayo and Athlone for the prestigious award which will be presented at the Pavillion at Tralee' s Ballygarry House Hotel this Thursday night.

Among the Kerry designers hoping to claim the coveted title will be Dingle's Karen Flannery; Aoife Hannon from Listowel; Clodagh Irwin Owens from Killorglin; Ardfert's Antoinette O'mahony and Dutch native, Charlotte Verbeek, who has lived in Kenmare for over 15 years.

The awards will be judged by editor of Image Magazine Melanie Morris, Liz Greehy, editor of top on line fashion website, stylebible.ie and last year's KFW Fashion Designer of the Year, Michael Leong. Doors open at 7pm and some tickets are still available on the night at €40.

Thursday night's awards ceremony is only one of the highlights of this year's Kerry Fashion Weekend, which takes place in venues in Tralee and Killarney from Thursday until Saturday. Also on the itinerary is a seminar entitled 'The Business of Fashion' on Friday, April 13 and the inaugural KFW Vintage Salon Show at the Plaza on Saturday, April 14.

Hosted by Tralee based agency, Upfront PR & Model Management, the weekend is focussed on promoting and encouraging up and coming fashion designer talent, along with those involved in the industry including models, hair stylists, make up artists, photographers and stylists.

Tickets for all events are available at the door and a full line up of what's on is available at www.kerryfashionweekend.com