Wayne Hemingway.
One of Britain’s leading designers and innovators has urged leading lights in the local fashion industry to make the most of Derry’s historic links with the textile industry as the perfect foundation for establishing the city’s place on the fashion map.
Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of Red or Dead and Hemingway Design, is among the guest speakers lined up for next month’s Fashion Fest – Derry’s very first dedicated celebration of the fashion industry, organised by Derry City Council – which will from November 20-23.
The acclaimed designer will open the Industry Focus Workshop on 20 November with an engaging discussion on the passions and pitfalls of the industry, sharing insider tips and advice he gained along the way.
The day-long workshop, including a local talent trade showcase, will give designers and buyers a valuable insight into this global industry.
Participants can familiarise themselves with industry trends, learn how to develop a business and hear first-hand accounts from the people behind the brands.
Tickets for this unmissable full-day workshop are still available.
As well as Hemingway, the Industry Focus Workshop will include contributions from Sonya Lennon, designer, broadcaster and Tech Start Up co-founder; Judith Tolley – CEO, Centre for Fashion Enterprise; Naomh McElhatton, DANI: Marketing in the Digital Age; Simon Hunter, Hunters Apparel: Couture Bespoke Manufacturing; and Shalina Alabaksh who has worked closely with retail guru and Queen of Shops, Mary Portas.
The workshop will conclude with a Fashion Trends Master class with Janet Holbrook, Peclers
Wayne Hemingway has come a long way since the early incarnations of Red or Dead, which he founded with wife Geraldine in 1981.
Nowadays, this vision has evolved into a global family business, with two generations of Hemingways now leading Hemingway Design, focusing on affordable and social design, creating products from radios to garden sheds and even branching into Urban Design!
A firm advocate of local manufacturing and home grown skills, he said Derry had huge potential in terms of channelling talent and vision.
“It’s interesting to think about the brand ‘Derry’ in terms of what it could achieve.
“The city is unique in that it has that a distinct narrative – a legitimate reason for people to start talking about it – and that’s its history of excellence in producing shirts. So what can Derry do next?
“This hidden history of manufacturing and design is exactly the reason why Derry must try new ideas like the Fashion Fest and build on old reputations. With overseas manufacturing waning nowadays, it is time to start seriously talking about manufacturing back in the UK again.
“There is already a nascent movement starting out there to reintroduce manufacturing and that is something that Derry, with its rich history, can tap into.”
Throughout his career, Heminway has championed new design and its designers and he will share this enthusiasm and expertise at the Guildhall event.
“I’ll be talking about what it was like for us starting out in the industry, how we got started, the pitfalls, and also about the current climate for people starting and building up a business. Hopefully it will provide an insight into the business and ideas of how to create opportunities and make them work for you.”
The Red or Dead founder also had sound advice for the legion of new designers out there.
“It’s important not to pigeonhole yourself and to be brave and try things. Give yourself more opportunities. It’s good to try new things, and that is the very reason why Derry should quite rightly be putting on this festival and calling itself a ‘fashion city’. In a way, it has always been a fashion city.”
The Industry Focus Workshop will run in the Guildhall from 9.00pm-6.00pm on Thursday, 20 November, admission £10.
Early bird tickets are now available at £6 plus booking fee by contacting the email [email protected].
Fashion Fest will not only bring top designers to the city, but a whole host of exciting events over the course of the four days. A quirky, bustling vintage fair will fill the city’s Cathedral Quarter – Portobello Road-style!
The inaugural festival will also present an Irish Wedding Fashion Showcase under the spectacular backdrop of St Columb’s Cathedral, as well as an exclusive Fashion Show at St Columb’s Hall that will culminate in drinks and dancing thanks to a set from global club stars Horse Meat Disco.
A rich programme of workshops, fashion demos and exhibitions will also have the fashion conscious and curious flocking to the city.
If you are a fashion designer, trader or have something special to bring to Fashion Fest 2014, please get in touch.
To register your interest, apply to take part in Designer Showrooms or book your pitch for the Vintage Fair, please contact: Tara Nicholas on: 028 7136 5151, ext. 6980, or email: [email protected].
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