It all started with a sketch!
Some days the phone rings and you literally have to stop and take a deep breath...
Well, on the 13th of March I took one of those deep breaths. I had a call from Miss Ireland, Jasmine Gerhardt, looking to borrow our "Thalia" outfit for the St Patrick's day Parade in Dublin on the 17th of March. Without hesitation I agreed, and really looked forward to seeing the photos on the bank holiday Monday over a coffee.
Little did I know that this call would be one of many with this wonderful lady and in the calls that followed we secretly discussed bigger plans for the coming month. "Can I borrow the "Thalia" again for Miss World?" started one conversation and I was off, just like that! "Of course" I replied "but let's go bigger or go home!"
I got my thinking cap on and in that moment I knew exactly what we could do. When I started Linen Shirt Company I had one aim - to help shine a light on re-growing Manufacturing in Ireland though Fashion Connect Ireland. Could there be a more perfect stage than Miss World to show community coming together? I thought. So, I simply asked Jasmine, "how about showcasing everything Linen Shirt Company was built for?" and got the "Let's do it" answer she is so brilliant at giving.
And so it began.... the sketch, the draping, the assembly by the community here at Fashion Connect. Fifteen meters of beautiful dark green Irish Linen, the mannequin, a box of pins, and we were in full flow. The dream team in production, Olena and Aline started to bring the sketch to life. Not an easy job to do, when I kept steering operations in every direction as the ideation of the design developed in my mind, where I had the vision of how I wanted the dress to look. But the team persevered, without complaint, and before we knew it, I was calling in fresh troops. Next up, were Ellen & Mary, two amazing Ladies from the local Traveller community, attendees on one of our community courses here in Fashion Connect.
As the gluing started, I had no idea where it would end but end it did, 7000 emerald gemstones later! and it was ready for the fitting...
When an overwhelmed Jasmine saw the finished dress for the first time her reaction was everything I had hoped for and more.
With the last fitting now completed, the dress is on it's way to India. I for one couldn't be more proud of how our community has come together to create something so beautiful that will be showcased on an amazing global stage at the end of May.
Stay tuned for PART 2 of this incredible story...