We promise to post lots of pics and stories about CFW 2011 once it all dies down, but we are busy layering on the concealor, sipping the Berocca and keeping our fashion feet on the trail all this week at the amazing events around the city & county for CFW 2011. We kicked off in superb style at the Blue Haven & Studio Blue last Friday night with the gorgeous Rosanna Davison & Georgia Salpa opening proceedings.  Amazing collections from Pandumoniem, Verso, Jayne Boutique, Hattitude and many more wowed the audience and a fab night was had by all.

The second day of Cork Fashion Week 2011 saw the sell out ’Fashion @ Christchurch’ event. The audience at the historic church were treated to two shows.  The first show ‘Boutique’ showcased new season collections from independent owned boutiques in the city and county. Guests mingled and shopped after the show at designer stands while enjoying food from the Blue Haven Food Co. and drinks from West Coast Cooler. The CFW Designer of the Year show followed with two categories: ‘Newcomer of the Year’ and the highly coveted Designer of the Year award.

Graduate and student designers battled it out showcasing jaw dropping collections but it was the Florence & the Machine song ’Cosmic Love’ inspired collection by primary school teacher Grainne O’Connor that caught the judges eye to win the newcommer award.

Designer of the Year was awarded to Alice Halliday for her magnificant ’Tea with Tamara’  collection.

Alice, based in Skibbereen, studied at the University for the Creative Arts in Epsom, England. Her winning collection was inspired by the Ballets Russes costumes of ballerina, Tamara Karsavina. The collection included elaborate crystal and feather embellishments with silhouettes, in both organic and geometric shapes. Drawing both colour palette and concept from the old tea-stained looking photos of Tamara. As a strong believer in ethical fashion, Alice uses a majority of recycled materials. Table cloths, doilies and chandelier crystals are combined with upholstery trimmings, intricate hand stitching and delicate bead work.

Liz Greehy, Editor of Stylebible.ie and judge on the night said ”Eventually it came down to two designers but overall it was Alice’s creative flair, her extreme attention to detail and the quality of her work that sealed the deal. Also, her collection came together very well and for me personally had just the right balance of ‘old world’ elegance and contemporary design to win me over.”

Port Laois based Irish Designer Heidi Higgins showcased her current collection, as did previous CFW Designer of the year winners Belinda Sullivan and Aidan Sheehan, who flew in from London to showcase at the glitzy event.

The shows included Irish model Jennifer Foley who was just home from walking at London Fashion Week for brands including the new collection for Danni Minogue.

CFW 2011 continues with the ‘Mad Men inspired Vintage Evening’ at the Cranelane theatre tonight. See you all there to celebrate the fashion of the past that has made style what it is today!