Hey All,
You may or may not have seen the coverage on last week’s Irish Fashion Awards. Bloggers, The Licentiate, S-oh-S-ew, Style Isle and myself attended the event in support of two winning bloggers; People’s choice category: Glamrocks, and Judges category: What She Wears.
As with many observers of the awards; be they nominees, attendees or those with a curious interest, I didn’t really know what to expect. Of course I was excited by the prospect of an event that would raise the profile of people in the Irish fashion industry. The list of nominees seemed to reflect a more alternative take on Irish fashion. Hairdressers, stylists, new designers and bloggers among other categories were each given their well-deserved props.
The MC on the night said that the people being celebrated were those who made other people, including those in the public eye, look good. Granted, stylists, make-up artists and hairdressers do indeed make us all look great, but there was more to the awards than that.
Working in fashion is a hard-fought career; one that if you don’t put your heart and soul into is likely doomed to fail. Working long hours for little or no pay is par for the course, a fact that sees many give up when their chosen path into fashion isn’t the glamorous, ‘dream job’ they imagined. These awards were a nod to the people who have struggled on through periods of no financial gains (and in some cases are still struggling – see bloggers) and have still managed to achieved success in their chosen field.
It gave credit to those people who through talent, determination and a little bit of luck are able to push the boundaries of Irish Fashion; by thinking outside the box and showing others the way forward through their creativity and genuine love of fashion. It is hard to fight against the mainstream, and having read comments about the awards, before and after the event, damn near impossible. So to all those who won, were nominated and showed their support on the night, I take my hat off to you. It is definitely not easy.
All outfit details at HerApparel.
Yours,
Whisty Xx
Whisty 
Great post – I think there seemed to be a lot of ill will towards those awards prior to the night, and as you say, its just nice to recognise the people in the industry and behind the scenes that are sometimes forgotten. Love the outfit too!
As always Miss Whisty – you look fab!
Your hair looks AMAZING!
great post, and I agree with it on so many levels. And the outfit is fabulous, too!
It was a really great idea, and is always great to support – but I’d be being disingenuous if I didn’t admit that I was one of the sceptics. I wasn’t anti the awards at all, but anti the appearance of “Ireland’s top blogger” from nowhere and with no explanation of how that popularity was gained. That aside, though I thought it was random – Irish model launches fashion awards – it seemed to have gone really well and I’m sorry I couldn’t have been there (I was in NY minding screaming baby, so not fashion!).
Laura one word STUNNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope you had a fantastic night x
Hey Whisty!
You look AMAZING!!!
Great post!!
xx
THANKS Whisty for showing your support and for coming up in person on the night, it meant a lot as does they way you put it all down on screen here.
Love the outfit, is that THE Chanel jacket? I found “casual chic” dress code a hard one to dress for, which many attending didn’t stick to (any excuse to dress up I suppose!) but which you definitely nailed – chic with the jacket and blouse with a nod to casual with the shorts. The girls who came along with me on the night were in awe of your style
So much hanging with you as always! Chat soon. Lxxxxx
You look stunning! Love the jacket – where is it from? Bit of a Stevie Nicks vibe with your hair – really suits you. x
Thanks Alex! Sorry, forgot to post outfit details… which is kind of the point of this kinda post right?!
Jacket is thrifted but M&S originally!
Xx
Great post Whisty….that is one my fav outfits you have posted those shorts are fab!!! x
I love your hair like that!
Great post! Very honest and straightforward.
You look amazing, it is a perfect Whisty outfit!