Move over Paris and Milan because this October, Ireland’s first fashion week will take stage.

Event founder Ashley McDonnell told Lunchtime Live that there are many big brands flying the flag for Irish fashion abroad, but it’s time to bring the industry back home.

“We open applications on April 23rd; we’ve got seven different fashion shows, starting with the graduate show all the way up to our flagship shows, so there’s something there for all different sizes of fashion brands,” she said.

“It’s for Irish brands only, so either designed in Ireland, made in Ireland or designers who are based in Ireland – we're keeping it local for this first one.

“We’re going to have five events across the week, some extending across the entire month as well.

“We’ll have obviously events that are open to the public and then we’ll have events where it’s very much curated, bringing in the top names and voices from Irish fashion, but globally.”

Irish designers and creatives phoned into the show to say that the event has stirred up great excitement in the industry and will provide an opportunity to showcase Irish talent.

You can listen back to the full interview here:

Main image: Low section of womans walking in black high heeled shoes on fashion catwalk. Image: Moodboard Stock Photography / Alamy. 2009