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Mia O'Connell is a new and exciting fashion designer from Dublin, Ireland. She recently launched her FW 2009/SS 2010 capsule collection entitled the Eight and a Half Project. As the name implies, Mia's collection includes eight amazing dresses as well as some exquisite separates. This sheer, ruffled, bandaged collection is romantic, modern and cool. Mia deserves big promps for creating her own opportunities in Ireland, where being a young designer can pose some challenges. Mia described to me the challenges experienced by fashion designers in Ireland:
"The Irish fashion industry is difficult, there are no new opportunities for young designers unlike London who have competitions such as Fashion East and Topshop New Gen, so you are left to create them for yourself. But at that making work is very hard, it is impossible to manufacture here it is just too expensive so most go to eastern Europe, and then because Ireland, being so small, selling enough is also a problem the market is just not big enough.
Also Dublin fashion week is no longer! so therefore an opportunity to reach the audience of Ireland has now gone!"
Despite this, Mia is definitely the one to watch for - her goal is to eventually move to London and begin her Masters. Stylish Goose wishes her lots of success!
In this illustration, both models are wearing looks from Mia O'Connell's collection. Check them out on her showcase blog. To complement the delicate designs, the girls are wearing "Avignon" peeptoe platform pumps by Stuart Weitzman in nude and black patent leather. They both carry Marni bags - a deep green hexagonal purse and a pearly flower and ribbon clutch.
PS. Mia also has a small, but amazingly adorable collection of accessories, which I want to incorporate into my future illustrations. Check it out here.
