An exciting collaboration between glass artists and fashion designers shatters attitudes to
gender & diversity bias through the ‘Glass Runway’ exhibition!
Dates: June 6 – July 25
Venue: Craft NI Gallery, Belfast
A unique catwalk show and exhibition enables glass artists and fashion designers from across the island to collaborate on the most surprising material you can wear – glass!
Showcasing the unexpected potential of glass and fashion, the participating artists use their skills not only to make, but to question the gender bias and champion inclusion: expect hot topics, hard truths, thought-provoking reflections and an unyielding focus on what beauty, gender and equality mean to different people.
This unique exhibition of wearable glass is brought to NI craft audiences by the Glass Society of Ireland, in collaboration with The Council of Irish Fashion Designers, and will take place at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast. The show is aimed at addressing gender equality, diversity and inclusion through exploring glass as a wearable material for all. The exhibition will feature 20 glass artists and fashion designers showing collaborative and individual pieces which include glass bags, millinery, dresses and jewellery.
The exhibition is the first of its kind in Ireland and a first cross border collaboration between the two representative agencies. It will be preceded by a Live Fashion Show which will be held on June 4, 6 – 8pm at The MAC, Belfast, where the objects and clothing will be seen by the public. NI fashion designer Sara O’Neill, the creative mastermind behind the hugely successful Éadach brand, whose designs have graced the red carpet and winners’ stages of The Oscars, The BAFTAs, The IFTAs & the Emmys last year, will be our special guest for the opening of the Glass Runway Live Fashion Show and will give an introductory talk before the event!
The industry term “Glass Runway” refers to gender inequality which touches many arms of society. The GSoI and CIFD wish to encourage a dialog on inequality, diversity and inclusion by exploring themes through this exhibition inspiring new ideas and statement pieces in this exclusive collaboration.
Róisín de Buitléar, Chair of the GSOI, appreciates that ‘the themes of inclusion, diversity and gender equality have been challenging yet enriching subjects for our glass community, with which they have fully engaged. We are excited to show this innovative work which has been selected by an international jury. In this, our first collaboration with the Council of Irish Fashion Designers, fashion designers and glass makers have extended their ideas and knowledge to create truly original works for this show while developing lasting and meaningful relationships through the design and development of their pieces. We look forward to the runway event and exhibition where we can fully celebrate those experiences’
Speaking about the upcoming event, Eddie Shanahan, Chairperson of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers said: ‘(…) we find collaboration projects invaluable in stretching the imaginations of our designers, in exposing them to new materials and craft techniques and, in the case of the Glass Runway in particular, in providing a platform to celebrate inclusivity and gender equality.’
Participants:
Partnerships between Irish fashion designers and glass artists include: Helen Hayes & Killian Schurmann; Aoife Harvey (NI) & Madeleine Hellier; Sarah Ward-Hendry & Róisín de Buitléar; Silvana Landa & Eleanor-Jane McCartney (NI); Ejay Griffin & Angela Brady, Sarah Foy & Alison Lowry (NI), Noema Damaris & Jennifer Butler.
Participating glass artists are: Meadhbh McIlgorm (NI), Kathryna Cuschieri, Ana Surdu, Maggie Napier (NI), Ruzica Ruane and Helen Hancock (NI).
SUSTAINABILITY:
All the pieces which are part of the Glass Runway exhibition are made using sustainable materials and production processes, which include recycled glass, repurposed metals, veg leather, off cuts of various fabrics/glass, organic cotton, sustainably sourced Irish linen remnants.
Further Information: Andreea McManus on 07922304167 or email at andreea.mcmanus@craftni.org
Exhibition website here: https://exhibitions.craftni.org/
Supporting events:
- Glass Runway Live Fashion Show (contact andreea.mcmanus@craftni.org to register interest): June 4, 6 – 8pm at the MAC, Belfast (10 Exchange St, West, Belfast BT1 2NJ). Special guest: NI fashion designer Sara O’Neill will give an introductory talk before the start of the Live Fashion Show.
Light refreshments will be available.
- Exhibition opening: June 6 (Late Night Art), 6 – 9 pm at Craft NI Gallery, 115 -119 Royal Avenue, Belfast. The exhibition runs until July 25.