In a fortnight's time, the annual NCAD graduate fashion show takes place - but without its usual financial support. For the past two years, the event has been underwritten by English department store Debenhams which has now decided to direct its assistance elsewhere. Regretfully, the college has been unable to find any Irish sponsor to take the place of Debenhams. This would be even more disappointing were it not to be expected. Last month, the Grafton Academy of Dress Designing held a 60th anniversary show but could find no Irish company willing to sponsor the occasion.
The school's principal, Suzanne Marr, approached the country's biggest fashion retailers - all of whom would have benefited from employing the Grafton Academy's graduates - but none of these organisations could come up with the few thousand pounds which would have made all the difference. Of one prominent shop, she says "I was really horrified that it didn't do anything at all for us."
Another company came back to her "with a long list of impossible requests; they wanted us to do nationwide leafleting and advertising on bus shelters - it wasn't rational or feasible". Eventually, a handful of shops took advertisements in the Academy show's programme where a full colour page cost no more than £750. Modest as this amount is, "we were grateful on the basis of every little bit helping," remarks Suzanne Marr, who only organises shows for graduates every few years because of the costs involved.
Given the difficulties she faced preparing for last month's celebration, it would be perfectly understandable if the next show were not held in the near future.
Meanwhile, NCAD is facing similar problems finding commercial support for its own show on June 1st. Angela Woods, the college's head of design, says although many leading Irish retailers were approached, none could come up with any money for the event despite the amount requested - between £4,000 and £8,000 - being relatively small.
Even the show's programme will feature barely any advertising from companies which will subsequently be employing NCAD design graduates. Assistance in kind has been offered for the night by a number of organisations, none of which are fashion outlets. Surely Irish retailers could - and should - be doing more to support young design talent in this country?
At a time when the local economy is booming (and many overseas chains are coming into Ireland to take advantage of this boom), the reluctance of indigenous companies to demonstrate commitment to the future must be regarded as shameful.
The NCAD Fashion Degree Show will be held at Vicar Street, Thomas Street, Dublin on Tuesday, June 1st. For further information/tickets, contact the NCAD Fashion Department, Tel. 01-6364251.
