Don puts a spring in the step with gowns at Kerry Fashion Week

Kerry’s own international fashion king, Don O’Neill, was back in the Kingdom last night to showcase his latest Theia spring collection.

The New York-based designer and his partner, Pascal Guillermie, were guests of honour at the Kerry Fashion Week New Collections Show at the Malton Hotel, Killarney.

They had flown from France where they had been attending Paris Fashion Week.

Don, who hails from the Kerry seaside village of Ballyheigue, dressed media mogul, Oprah Winfrey, for the Oscars in 2012; and American country singer, Carrie Underwood, for the Grammy awards last year.

Oprah wore a Theia “crunchy sequin dress” when she received her honorary Oscar statue.

Don created a silver-grey Duchess satin gown for Carrie so that it could have images projected onto it.

Carrie, not used to standing still, had to stand on top of an apple crate during her performance of Blown Away.

Theia, launched five years ago, is a manifestation of Don’s vision to bring out every woman’s inner goddess. He currently serves as the label’s creative director.

The evening also included the presentation of new collections from Laura Jayne Halton, Carol Kennelly, Karyn Moriarty, Clodagh Irwin Owens and Caroline Matthew.

Top boutiques featured included MacBees, Jasmine, Pamela Scotts, East 73rd, Kerry’s Boutique and Ela Marie.

Finalists in the KFW Irish fashion industry awards will also showcase their new collections this evening.

The 6th annual Kerry Fashion Week, in association with Image magazine, opened on Monday last and will close with the KFW Irish Fashion Industry Awards in the Europe Hotel & Resort tonight.