Nenagh textile company wins Best Overall Product Award at Showcase 2017

Winners of the annual Showcase Awards were recently announced at Showcase - Ireland’s Creative Expo.

Showcase 2017 was officially opened on Sunday January 22nd by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovatio  Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD and awards were presented by Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland. The annual show has established itself as a must-see trade event, attracting buyers from Ireland and more than 20 other countries, including UK, USA, Mainland Europe and the Far East, all keen to see the latest designs from Ireland’s top brands and craft producers.

 

Showcase is an international launch pad for the 450 Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople who will be unveiling their new season collections across fashion, jewellery, home and giftware over the four-day event. A particular emphasis is placed on new products to market, providing retailers with opportunities to discover and stock up on the latest design-led products, many of which are unique to the show.

 

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland said: “The ongoing development of Showcase over the past 40 years demonstrates that the appetite to discover and access the very best of Irish design and craft from both established and emerging brands continues to grow. The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland works with and supports these Irish designers and makers to develop their businesses and help them to reach their potential. The annual Showcase awards programme plays a key role in encouraging new product development in order to offer visiting buyers an opportunity to discover the very latest design-led products, many of which are unique to the show. The awards also highlight innovation, collaboration, high-quality design, craftsmanship, and presentation. Choosing winners from such a wide range of quality Irish products is always a difficult task for our selectors so I would like to congratulate all the award recipients and those who were highly commended.”

 

 

 

BEST PRODUCT AWARDS

 

Exhibitors selected for the Showcase Best Product Awards 2017 were chosen by specialist curators; Alanna Gallagher (home & gift), Natasha Sherling (jewellery); Catherine Condell (fashion & TextISLE) and Emma McGrath (Design Ireland). The curators nominated the ‘Best Product’ in each of their categories and each category produced a Best Product Award and Highly Commended awards. The overall Best Product Award at Showcase 2017 was chosen by the Showcase judging panel.

 

 

 

The Overall Winner of the Showcase Best Product Award was John Hanly & Co. Ltd for its collection in collaboration with fashion designer, Mariad Whisker. John Hanly & Co Ltd creates textiles in tweed, wool and cashmere from its factory at Ballyartella Woollen Mills.

 

 

 

Best New Product Category Winners:

 

 

 

FASHION & TextISLE: The Showcase Best Product Award in the fashion category was John Hanly & Co Ltd in collaboration with Mariad Whisker. Highly commended in this category was 31 Chapel Lane, for the collection working with 100% Irish Linens from Emblem Weavers, Thomas Ferguson and Baird McNutt. 31 Chapel Lane is based on Limerick city. Also highly commended were two Donegal companies - Fisherman Out of Ireland for the collection in collaboration with Electronic Sheep, and Magee Tweed for the collection with Elks.

 

 

 

HOME: This year’s Showcase Best Product Award in the home category went to Cooper Handcrafted Furniture from Monaghan for its Pestle and Mortar. Highly commended were Waterford’s Emerald Handmade Irish Crystal for the Decanter and Whiskey Glass, and Wicklow’s Old Court Linens for its Bread Bag.

 

 

 

GIFT: The Showcase Best Product Award in the gift category went to Jo Browne’s Solid Perfume and Cologne Collection. Jo Browne is based in Hacketstown, Co. Carlow. Highly commended in the gift category were Jando Design from Dublin for its Liberty Moon print, and McNutt of Donegal for its Linen Scarves.

 

 

 

JEWELLERY: The Showcase Best Product Award in the jewellery category went to Dublin-based Emer Roberts Design for her 2017 Collection. Highly commended in this category were Inner Island, also based in Dublin, for its 2017 Collection, and County Down-based Rachel MCK’s Neckpiece.

 

 

 

Other Category Winners:

 

 

 

DESIGN IRELAND: The winner of the Design Ireland award was Cooper Handcrafted Furniture from Monaghan for its collaboration with Wild Cocoon. Highly commended were Ciara Silke from Galway for her Silk Scarf, KaroArt from Dublin for its Ceramic Plate, and Waters + Wild from West Cork for its Organic Perfume. The winner of this award is selected by a panel of independent judges which assesses Design Ireland exhibitors for stand design and display, product quality and overall suitability.

 

 

 

CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD: The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Craftsmanship Award, which promotes creative development in craft, was won by A Mullane Design for the innovation and craftsmanship of its overall product offering. A Mullane Design is a Wicklow-based printed textile design brand.