Irish fashion inspires

THERE was no calls to ban size zero models, no dresses made of balloons or hats that look like fencing masks.

This year’s Dublin fashion week got off to a less controversial start than its London and Paris-based equivalents, and focused on the business of buying and selling clothes, and promoting an increasing number of young Irish designers to a host of international buyers.

A group of 32 designers showcased their collections for the autumn/winter 2007 season at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin yesterday, showing the originality and diversity that are slowly putting Ireland on the fashion map.