You may have noticed the hashtag #IrishFashionArt being shared on Instagram, here are the background details.

WHY: Culture Minister Catherine Martin TD announced on September 22 that 2,000 grants will be awarded to artists through the new “Basic Income for the Arts” pilot scheme. Payments of €325 per week will be made to 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers over the course of the scheme.

WHAT: The Council of Irish Fashion Designers objects to the specific exclusion of independent Irish fashion designers, (including milliners, jewellery and accessories designers), from this scheme, citing that costume designers in film or opera and street artists and circus performers do qualify.

They argue that independent Irish designers are seeking to balance recovery from a series of lockdowns with escalating costs for their creative enterprises. Their main concern is that: “Ireland will once again export more highly qualified fashion design graduates than fashion collections, to the benefit of other economies.”

WHO: Some of those directly affected include Irish fashion designers whose work has featured in museums, exhibitions and collections around the world. For example, Helen Hayes and Leonora Ferguson, who collaborated with Laura Quinn, at the Biot International Glass Festival in September of this year. Another is Sara O’Neill who personally illustrates her prints for her Eadach brand – the “Millie” signature kimono for which was purchased by the Ulster Museum.

Other designers whose work combines handmade artistic elements include Caroline Duffy, Hazel Greene and Niamh Daniels, who paint artwork for their silk scarves, wraps, kimonos and dress collections. Niamh Gillespie drops her digital art onto beautiful silks for a range of men’s and women’s accessories. Meanwhile, the work of Delphine Grandjouan, Caroline Mitchell, Ailish McElroy, Aoife Kirwan, Aoife Harrison, Deb Fanning and Wendy Knight is grounded in applied art – embroidery, crochet and other fine appliqués.

HOW: The Council of Irish Fashion Designers hope the exclusion of fashion designers from the scheme is an error made through a lack of knowledge. They wrote to Minister Martin on September 15 and received an acknowledgement of their letter but have heard nothing further, a source of disappointment for members. As a result the Council has started a social media campaign to raise awareness of the rights of independent Irish fashion designers. Their aim is also to learn from history, not repeat.

“It is decades since our Chairperson Eddie Shanahan, in a previous role, sought investment support for the milliner Philip Treacy to remain in Ireland and establish his business here. It was Philip’s dearest wish at the time. Unfortunately Philip had to leave the country and his artistry turned out to be of economic benefit beyond these shores. We should learn from history, not repeat it.”

“The economic potential of Irish fashion is completely underappreciated in terms of job creation, sales potential, tax revenue, cultural and brand value. It is time for fair play, due recognition and inclusion of independent Irish fashion designers (of fashion, accessories, jewellery and millinery) in the Basic Income for the Arts Scheme.”

This phase of the campaign will be supported by posts on the social media channels of CIFD members. Follow the hashtag #IrishFashionArt on Instagram. www.irishfashiondesigners.com