Mercedes-Benz MSL Fashion Week Cork successfully injects revenue and vibrancy into the local retail sector

17th October 2014

October in Cork saw a series of ultra glamorous events take place in the city centre which, through the platform of social media, saw international eyes on the city’s fashion and retail industries. In its six years of growth and development, Cork Fashion Week has become a force to be reckoned with on the national events calendar, bringing fashionistas and business owners from all over Ireland to the rebel county to witness the launch of the careers of the hottest new fashion designers from our colleges. Mercedes-Benz has been a longstanding partner of the fashion industry, sponsoring over 30 fashion weeks worldwide and their association with the Cork week of fashion events brings due prestige and a high calibre to match the quality of these events. The MSL team in Cork provided unrivalled support to the week of events as well as exhibiting some of the most stylish current ranges of Mercedes at the historic Imperial Hotel.

CFW Directors Emer O’Mahony and Vivienne Kelly enlisted the professional help of Jenny O’Flynn and her team at The Event Planner to meet the growing demand and scale of events, thus allowing for larger participation and production, with over 19 boutiques showcased on the opening night and designers from all over Ireland exhibiting the following night. Feedback from the Boutique show saw local independent retailers selling out of garments the following morning, proving the need for a prosperous Fashion Week each year to celebrate and showcase the local fashion industry to keep people in retail in employment.

Cork’s prime shopping district, Opera Lane, treated local and national fashion bloggers and press to an exclusive Winter Preview fashion show and afternoon tea at Perry Street cafe where Glenda Gilsen and her Xpose crew attended the event to cover it for national exposure.

With strong support this year from local and national sponsors, who can be seen on www.corkfashionweek.com, the week was a huge success for both sponsors and participating boutiques and designers, so it is no surprise that planning for 2015 is already underway!

Pictured: Dermot O'Hara, MSL, Emer O'Mahony Co-Director of Fashion Week and TV presenter Brendan Courtney at the Imperial Hotel for the opening night of Mercedes-Benz MSL Cork Fashion Week.

ENDS

Return to the Archive News section