Irish designers sew up BT deal

THREE up-and-coming Irish fashion designers will have a chance to showcase their collections alongside top international labels such as Armani and Prada.

Brown Thomas, will stock the autumn/winter collections of three people trying to get a foot in the door in the competitive industry, through its designer mentor programme.

These include New York-born Jennifer Rothwell, a graduate of the National College of Art and Design.

She has worked in fashion houses such as Calvin Klein and has settled in Dublin and set up her own label.

Her “superb tailoring, innovative designs and beautifully-cut feminine dresses” impressed BT executives.

They were also impressed by Tim Ryan, a self-taught designer from Tipperary and based in London. Tim’s handmade knits have already developed a cult following among private clients and independent boutiques in London.

The store will also stock costume jewellery designs by Vivien Walsh, known for her feminine and sophisticated collections.

The designers were selected in Dublin Fashion Week earlier this year.