A History of Fashion and the Irish Diaspora

Join fashion lecturer, Dean Liggett, for a talk exploring the impact creatives from across the island of Ireland have had on contemporary fashion from the nineteenth century until today.

This talk will highlight a wide network of designers, textile innovators, fabric producers, creative specialists and image-makers who have helped shape international style across the major fashion capitals. Moving beyond just the well-known figures, it focuses on often-overlooked contributors working behind the scenes in ateliers, mills, studios, and workshops whose skills have influenced materials, construction, and visual identity in fashion. 

By connecting these transnational connections, the talk reframes fashion history through a diasporic perspective, revealing how Irish talent has quietly helped to shape the aesthetics, craftsmanship, and infrastructure of the global fashion system.