I am immensely proud of Belfast, I have said this before. It has moved from a city destroyed by years of conflict to a growing cosmopolitan hub. Yes, growing. While I accept we have much to gain through increased diversity and opportunity, we are light years from where we were. Take that HBO exec!

In order for this to happen, we have to nurture and support our own. For years there has been an intellectual and cultural vacuum as some of our brightest young people move across the water for university or employment. The developments of the past decade in Belfast and across the province, especially in the media and creative industries has seen talent come back to us. Look at the success of St George's Market; voted best market in the UK and champion of local craft and produce.

I digressed a little there, but it helps support the main jist of this post...
We have some amazingly talented fashion designers right under our noses!

I recently attended the Belfast School of Art Fashion graduation show at T13 in the Titanic Quarter. I was kindly invited by Fintan Mulholland, one of only 2 graduates who designed menswear for their final collection.

Fintan's collection, entitled Degradation was avant-garde apocalypse. Combining exaggerated knitwear with equine-esque flared trousers, there was a distinct tone and story carried through the palette of khaki green, grey and black; this is the end of days.

hooded and hooved

four horsemen

• Skeletal rib detailing on the knitwear
• Flared trousers (to the point of almost becoming hooves)
• Over-sized horn buttons, engraved with a subtle circuit pattern, mixing techno and organic.
• Spiked mace incense burner
• Goggle feature on the hood, if Mad Max did knit wear
• Visors engraved with the same circuitry found on the cardigan buttons

It wouldn't be fair to talk about the show without mentioning the other designer showcasing menswear. Emma Zacharopoulou's Baile puts a "modern twist on quintessential Irish men's knitwear". Her use of colour and contrast is fresh and I loved the mod-like styling with cropped trousers and laced boots.


Follow Fintan and Emma on twitter for more updates and information.

We must look after local talent so we can all enjoy it - you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone!