STUDENTS from Atlantic Technological University’s Fashion Design with Promotion programme took centre stage at the Regional Cultural Centre on Wednesday, May 20, as the university unveiled its annual Graduate Fashion Showcase celebrating emerging fashion talent from across the Northwest.
This year’s showcase highlighted the programme’s growing reputation for innovation, sustainability, and industry‑ready craftsmanship. Lecturer Sharon Maxwell described the evening as “a celebration of the extraordinary creativity, resilience, and innovation of our emerging graduate designers.” She noted that each collection reflected strong technical skill and craftsmanship, as well as “deeply personal stories and forward‑thinking approaches to sustainability and contemporary fashion.”
Second‑year students worked under the theme Reimagined. They partnered with Letterkenny Tidy Towns to transform unwanted and preloved textiles sourced from local charity shops. The brief encouraged them to view discarded materials in a new way and to show how contemporary fashion can emerge from what already exists. Their work reflected the programme’s commitment to circular design and community collaboration.
Threaded Stories by Josef Danhelovsky.
Third years developed their collections under the theme Perspective, exploring how meaning shifts through different viewpoints. Drawing on influences such as mindfulness, mythology, nature, and identity, they created collections ranging from sculptural and introspective to playful and expressive. Sustainability remained at the core, demonstrated through students’ use of recycled fibres, deadstock, and ethically sourced materials.
Fourth-year designers collaborated with industry partners including McNutt of Donegal, Magee 1866, Donegal Yarns, Orla Vera Accessories, and Cooneen. Challenged to reimagine remnant and deadstock textiles, they produced contemporary and bold silhouettes that celebrate the heritage and manufacturing excellence of the Northwest whilst gaining valuable real‑world design experience.
As the final collections appeared on the runway, Lecturer Eilish Kennedy reflected on the impact of seeing the garments in motion. She said the pieces “carry a different kind of power once they are on the body.” She added that the students’ commitment to sustainable practices and material innovation resulted in collections that are “both visually compelling and socially conscious. Clothes are the architecture for the body, and seeing these garments in movement on the runway allows the full vision and emotion of the work to come alive.”
ATU Alumni Emma McKinney at the ATU End of Year Design Fashion Show in the RCC Letterkenny.
The showcase also celebrated the achievements of three of the programme’s alumni who are making their mark in the fashion industry since graduating from ATU last year. Hollie Marie Gallagher, Emma McKinney and Anna Ní Mháirtín each showcased a look with Anna also acting as MC on the night.
Hollie Marie Gallagher, featured in The Irish Times Magazine’s “50 Key People to Watch in 2026”, is known for her avant‑garde sculptural designs worn by Laura Whitmore. She founded Dare to Howl, a sustainable experimental fashion rental platform. Her designs have been shown at Dublin Independent Fashion Week and Drawing Cabaret Couture. They are stocked at The Slow Concept Store, and she returns to Ireland Fashion Week 2026.
Emma McKinney, founder of Maniac, continues to build momentum. Her garments are sold through one of Dublin’s leading boutiques that champions independent Irish fashion. She also works as a designer for Hunter Apparel Solutions. Her work featured at Ireland Fashion Week 2025, and she returns this year with bold, distinctive designs.
Anna Ní Mháirtín’s brand, Annastasia Studios, presented an eight‑look collection at Sweden’s Spring Inspiration Show. Her work has been featured in L’Officiel Baltics and The Irish Times. Based in Dublin, she freelances with brands including Sarah Lorraine, Nimiiny, and Rashhiiid. She will also showcase as part of the Irish Edit at Ireland Fashion Week 2026.
The evening concluded with the announcement of this year’s award winners. The awards recognised excellence in sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship and design.
ATU staff, designers, and models with prize winners at ATU’s End-of-Year Design Fashion Show in the RCC Letterkenny. Seated from left are Aoife Brogan, Elizabete Klova, Declan Kerrigan, Alexandra Brozova and Shannon Black.
Shannon Black received the Second Year Sustainability Award, sponsored by Letterkenny Tidy Towns and presented by Anne Condon. Alexandra Brozova received the Level 7 Designer of the Year Award, sponsored by Donegal Designer Makers and presented by Hannah McGuinness. Elizabete Klova received both the Sustainability Designer Award, sponsored by McNutt of Donegal and presented by Stacey McNutt, and the Fashion Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Donegal Local Enterprise Office and presented by Sinéad Milligan.
Aoife Brogan received the Innovation Award, sponsored by Caroline Kilkenny and presented by ATU’s Dr Fiona Crowe. Declan Kerrigan received the Level 8 Designer of the Year Award, sponsored by McElhinney’s Stores and presented by Lynsey McGarrigle-Carlin.
Guests at at the ATU End of Year Design Fashion Show.