As Ireland Fashion Week swiftly approaches this October, it is time to revisit this year's Dublin Independent Fashion Week which spanned from the 10th of September to the 17th, with a range of designers, models and wonderfully talented creatives from all over Ireland coming together to host over forty events championing Irish fashion.
As Ireland’s fashion scene continues to blossom, so do the opportunities for up and coming artists to showcase themselves to a wider audience. While these opportunities are vast, an essential part of every fashion week is the often chaotic scheduling, last minute call outs and endless planning, fittings and rehearsals that happen behind the scenes.
To get an insight into the exciting lifestyle of a model running through Dublin Fashion Week and the talent they have showcased this year, I met with several models before their shows to discuss their routines for surviving such a busy week.
Looking After Yourself
For Casey Sky Donnelly Quinn, preparation starts by looking after both her skincare and mental well-being. She explains, “My mind and my skin are the main things,” after mentioning her combination skin type. Staying hydrated, keeping up with her mental health and hair for each show are all part of her busy routine.
“I try to get into the mindset of being excited but not nervous,” she says. “Trying my best to do everything possible to enhance the clothes I’m wearing.”
Quinn demonstrates that there's an essential balance between preparation and actually enjoying the experience by being present.
Andrea Jolan's approach is a little more structured. “I try to get myself nice and organised before the craze,” she says, relying on her calendar to keep track of the week. Her Fashion Week essentials include face masks, face wipes and, of course most importantly, rest.
After particularly long days, even that can become difficult. “I literally fell asleep on the couch,” she expressed. “I woke up at 4:00am and was like, ‘Oh my God, my face!’” For Andrea, surviving the week is about finding a balance between work, rest and maintaining a social life. “I think it’s important to have that support system when all the crazy happens.”
Alex Sheridan takes quite a similar practical approach, making use of the hours when she is asleep to keep her skin and hair cared for. She explains, “Every day I try and get my hair and skin at least oiled and moisturised before getting to bed,”.
During Fashion Week, she has also been making an effort to drink more water and eat regularly. She expressed “I have such a tendency to do one big meal, and that is not well suited for this lifestyle.” It's important to remember that models often have long day schedules which are packed with networking, fittings and constant communication. Food is vital for having enough energy throughout the day to keep up. Although there is immense pressure to look your absolute best on the runway, models are often found making that change through healthy habits in the gym and keeping up with their physical health.
And then there are the little things that make long days more manageable. For Jeffrin Jerome, that means staying hydrated, carrying a portable fan and, most importantly, remembering why everyone is there.
“Honestly, just try to have a good time,” Jeffrin recommends. “At the end of the day, you’re here supporting independent fashion and supporting independent designers, so just have a good time.”
Adjusting to the Chaos
For Julia Fernández, Fashion Week means temporarily adjusting the routine she normally relies on.
“Your life gets put upside down,” she explains. Her usual mornings involve waking up early, going to the gym and having breakfast before starting the day. During Fashion Week, however, practicality is just more important. “You’re going to be waking up very early, washing your hair, your face, because you have makeup every day, hair every day, so it is a bit crazy.”
Rather than fighting the disruption, Julia reminds herself that it is temporary. In my interview, she explains “You need to keep thinking like, ‘Oh, it’s just for this week.’ The hard work is going to compensate.”
However, a less strict routine works better for the likes of Saoirse Foley, who places more of an emphasis on being prepared for whatever each show might bring.
She said “I try to get talking to as many new people as I can,” while also making sure she has as much preparation covered prior to showtime. Having her makeup started, her hair looking presentable and being ready to adapt to each individual show helps her navigate the unpredictability of the week.
“Each show is different,” she explains.
And that is the real routine of any Fashion Week. There isn’t just one perfect routine. There's a multitude of different ways to approach the chaos, most importantly, however, is the ability to adapt and take opportunities the moment they arrive.
As Ireland’s independent fashion scene is on the rise, Fashion Week serves as a reminder that the industry is not built solely on the runway. It is built behind the scenes too, through the early mornings, rushed fittings, last minute changes, conversations and most importantly, the people willing to show up and create something meaningful together.