IRISH FASHION designers need to focus more on developing their websites and on exports, particularly to the UK, according to Dermott Rowan, managing director and co-owner with his wife Orla Kiely of Kiely Rowan plc.
Mr Rowan, appointed to the board of the Crafts Council of Ireland last year, was speaking at a panel discussion on the future of Irish fashion organised by the council at Showcase 2012 – Ireland’s Creative Expo at the RDS.
London-based Ms Kiely is Ireland’s most successful designer internationally and opened her first US shop in New York in November.
“There are 60 million people in the world and six million in the UK who consider themselves Irish, who are interested in Ireland, and want to buy Irish and Irish designers. If we can tap into that diaspora, there is an amazing market,” Mr Rowan said.
“I would look closely at Scotland – the Scots are selling their tweed at huge prices around the world.”
He was joined on the panel by Aishling Kilduff, owner of the Design Centre in Powerscourt, Off The Rails presenter Sonya Lennon, fashion editor Constance Harris, and Sonia Reynolds, who directed Showcase’s first fashion show on Sunday.
The British fashion industry is thriving because the UK has identified youthful talent and is supporting it, said Mr Rowan.
“Some young designers are receiving up to £200,000 in support and that is a massive boost. Young designers are also getting mentoring. Ireland needs to link at college stage, marketing strengths with fashion and generate groups of people who can help each other.
“We should also be finding ways of mentoring emerging talents here and taking them to London and Paris. It’s about creating more jobs.”
Central to any development, however, was the internet, he stressed. “It is vital. Your site has to be really good – you can sell directly and get full margins.”