A sneak peak at Ireland’s next top makers

With a total prize fund of over €25,000, Future Makers Awards & Supports is one of the biggest programmes of its kind in Europe. Launched by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland in 2009, the aim of the programme is to support and promote the next generation of Irish craft and design creatives.

Last night, 27 of these emerging designers were awarded for their experimentation, imagination and skill. With the awards they receive, the makers are not only recognised for their talent, but also helped financially and practically to create and promote their work.

The 2015 selection panel featured Gregory Epps, international designer and founder of RoboFold, fashion designer and former Future Makers award winner Natalie B. Coleman and internationally renowned basket-maker Joe Hogan.

The overall Future Makers Student Award of €2,500 (and €500 Materials Support) was received by Alanna Plekkenpol, a recent graduate of textiles in NCAD.

Plekkenpol was studying in Amsterdam Fashion Institute when 'I saw something exciting was happening in Irish fashion. I had always watched Irish designers like Simone Rocha but when I started to see young Irish designers like Heidi Higgins and Emma Manley getting more exposure I was inspired to come back home.' Completing her final year in the National College of Art and Design, the young designer created an impressive graduate collection.

Influenced by her heritage, her garments combine Dutch innovation with Irish historical craft. Plekkenpol used implements as varied as a 1970s knitting machine and a 3D printer to “create garments that she would love to wear herself, as that feels like the most honest way to create.”

The award winner says 'I want to create my own independent fashion label based on the concept of making designer clothes more sustainable and accessible to a younger audience. My clothes are made with young people in mind, so I want them to be able to afford it. I'm aiming to do this by creating removable details like peplum, cuffs and detachable sleeves, as well as investment pieces.' Plekkenpol's work can be purchased at alannaplekkenpol.com

In the practitioner category, Cillian Ó Súilleabháin won the The Future Makers Emerging Practitioner Award (€5,000). This award will assist the Carlow based furniture designer in participating at the craft and design fair MADE in London 2015.

The Innovation Award (€2,500) was presented to fashion designer Honor Fitzsimons. Fitzsimons uses unconventional materials such as upholstery foam and silicone, and combines them with more traditional materials like luxury wool. This award will enable her to further promote her ethically made garments, as well as support her in developing her craft.