On February 20th, celebrities flocked to the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin for one of the most anticipated nights in Irish fashion: the 23rd annual IFTA Awards (Irish Film and Television Academy). Following what has been an incredibly successful year in Irish cinema and television, the carpet was stacked with both Oscar-nominated performers and rising stars, including Jessie Buckley, Cillian Murphy, Anthony Boyle, Danielle Galligan and Alison Oliver. Among the many other accolades she has racked up this season (including the Critics’ Choice Award) for her role as Agnes in the critically acclaimed Hamnet, Buckley scooped up the award for film’s Lead Actress, while Éanna Hardwicke was awarded Lead Actor for his performance as Roy Keane in the film Saipan. While others may have walked away empty-handed, they doubtless left their mark; in what was an impeccable night for Irish fashion, stars turned heads in the following designs.
Among the best dressed was Danielle Galligan, who has emerged as a breakout star this year following her roles in Netflix’s House of Guinness and RTÉ’s The Walsh Sisters. Galligan sported a look from Alexander McQueen, designed by Dublin designer Sean McGirr, who was appointed Creative Director of the fashion house in 2023. The ensemble consisted of a red and black plaid dress, featuring a short hemline and capped sleeves paired with a floor-length train, while lacy black tights and knee-high black boots added a rebellious edge. In an interview with RTÉ, Galligan stated that the regal yet playful look was inspired by both her House of Guinness character, Lady Olivia, and the uninhibited fashion of her girlhood, describing it as “an homage to Lady Olivia but also to my younger, little girl [self] that I like, abandoned somewhere along the way”.
Awarded Lead Actress in the Drama category for her role in the Northern Irish TV series Trespasses, actress Lola Pettigrew also showcased her support for Irish designers in a striking piece from the Irish designer Simone Rocha. The design was constructed to align with Lola’s usual punk aesthetic, consisting of a sheer, puff-sleeved light pink dress, which contrasted with black leather belt straps fitted onto Lola’s torso. Lola paired the look with a black leather bag and knee-high black boots, while her tattoos and black fringe hairstyle heightened the dramatic nature of the ensemble.
The designs of Zimbabwe-born and Irish-raised designer Kimberley Tinotenda Mushayabasa, founder of Maya Grisham, were also featured, with Lisa McGee sporting one of her viral clutches. Tino’s sparkling handbags are inspired by cultural staples of Irish life, with designs including a Kerrygold clutch, a Tayto bag, a Guinness bag, and a four-leaf clover clutch. McGee, creator of the hit series Derry Girls and the newly popular How to Get From Heaven to Belfast, donned one of Tino’s handbags last year, which featured a Barry’s Tea design. Her penchant for unique accessories and her continued support of Tino were highlighted this year, as a harp-shaped silver handbag and silver heels complemented her floor-length silver dress, which featured short cape sleeves and a black belt that accentuated her waist.
Kevin McGahern, the Irish comedian and TV presenter who hosted the IFTAs, also stepped out in a classic look that was cultivated by the Irish stylist Laura Mullet, who was the official stylist for the red carpet. Accompanied by his wife, Siobhan Cassidy, who wore a strapless black dress which was offset with sparkling silver heels, McGahern donned a classic tuxedo, while a large dickey bow and a black walking stick added a subtle touch of camp to his outfit.
Other stand out looks from male attendees including Cillian Murphy’s elegant yet casual black suit, which was paired with a baby blue shirt, while Jack Gleeson looked dapper in a black suit and tie. Anthony Boyle, who was awarded Lead Actor in the Drama Category for his role as Anthony Guinness in Netflix’s House of Guinness, also cut a striking figure, stepping out in high-waisted black pants and a black velvet jacket, with a grey shirt tying the outfit’s dark tones together.
Among the best-dressed women was Alison Oliver, who swept up the Supporting Actress award in the Drama category for her role in HBO’s Task, and who has recently appeared in the limelight due to her role as Isabella Linton in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights. In a look which evoked a similar romantic sensibility, Oliver wore a sheer white dress adorned with delicate lace patterns. Aimee Connolly similarly decided upon a romantic look in a red satin dress from Reiss, while Sarah Bolger also turned heads in a figure-hugging, bejewelled gold dress.
Therefore, while this year’s IFTAs celebrated what a colossal year it has been for the Irish film and TV industries, it also highlighted a budding Irish fashion scene and the outstanding work of Irish designers, among them Sean McGirr, Simone Rocha, and Kimberley Tinotenda Mushayabasa, to name but a few. Clearly, Ireland’s creative flair is limited not just to the screen, but also extends to the atelier.
