Three talented ATU Donegal Fashion graduates captivated audiences at the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week with their enchanting and innovative Irish Sea–inspired designs.

Friday’s showcase at the Anantara The Marker Hotel in Dublin featured 39 emerging designers, selected from hundreds of applicants by Ireland Fashion Week’s judging panel.

Representing Donegal were alumni Bray Zhang, Emma McKinney, and Hollie Marie Gallagher, who each drew inspiration from the wild beauty, texture and energy of the Atlantic coast.

Dare to Howl

Hollie Marie Gallagher, founder of Dare to Howl, unveiled her modern edition of the Irish Brat cloak, focusing on structural shapes and fabrics to celebrate the legacy of two powerful Irish women, Irish pirate queen Grace O’Malley and marine biologist Maud Delap

A conceptual designer from Killygordon, Hollie Marie brings emotional depth and avant-garde
vision to fashion through her brand Dare to Howl. Her work explores the boundaries between identity,
vulnerability, and personal space, using sculptural forms and rich heritage textiles such as Magee of Donegal authentic herringbone tweed and designer deadstock crinkled taffeta sourced from Last Yarn.

Hollie Marie Gallagher with model wearing her Irish Brat at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show at the Marker Hotel Dublin. Photographed by Amel Pomenem

Design by Hollie Marie Gallagher at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show at the Marker Hotel Dublin. Photographed by Yami Pavía

Design by Hollie Marie Gallagher at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show at the Marker Hotel Dublin. Photographed by Yami Pavía

Bray Zhang

At just 20 years old, Bray Zhang is the youngest graduate of his program and already a standout presence in Irish fashion. His label, BRAY ZHANG, redefines quiet luxury for the modern individual – drawing inspiration from classic silhouettes and personal identity

Bray, now based in Derry, showcased a waterproof womenswear look consisting of a trench coat and pleated trousers as well as his first limited fine fragrance, Lost at Sea.

A classic yet practical ensemble, the collection pays homage to the wild weather of the northwest. The buttons and buckles that feature on Bray’s fully-lined cotton cambric trench are all handmade from driftwood hand collected off shore.

Bray Zhang design at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show at the Marker Hotel Dublin. Photographed by Guilherme Resende

Bray Zhang with his model at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show at the Marker Hotel Dublin. Photographed by Amel Pomenem

Design by Bray Zhang at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show at the Marker Hotel Dublin. Photographed by Yami Pavía

MANIAC

Emma McKinney, founder of the MANIAC label, is a creative and detail-oriented individual who has a strong interest in producing unique and textural pieces.

The Buncrana designer brings depth and intrigue to her designs. For Ireland Fashion Week, Emma took remnant tweed from McNutts, end of line leather from Orla Vera Accessories, and mussel shells from her part-time job at The Harbour Inn to create a look that tells the textured story of her homeland.

“I let the natural beauty of Donegal guide me, the rich greens of the fields and the earthy tones of the mountains, the rugged cliffs meeting the Atlantic and the captivating colours of the sunset,” Emma said. 

Design by Emma McKinney at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show. Photographed by Anastasiia Redko

Design by Emma McKinney at IFW Irish Sea Graduate Show. Photographed by Kia Paulina

Curated and produced by titans of industry Anne O’Shea and Jess Colivet, the Irish Sea Graduate Show was seamless and unique, propelling the designs of Ireland’s upcoming talents to new heights. Supported by Specsavers, Anne & Jess worked closely with each designer to showcase and style their looks perfectly on the runway.

ATU Donegal’s BA Fashion Design with Promotion programme continues to grow from strength to strength, empowering students to become creative leaders in the ever-evolving fashion industry. To find out more, visit https://www.atu.ie/courses/bachelor-of-arts-fashion-design-with-promotion-on-campus-donegal