“The only Irish fashion college on the global league table.”
IT is official – the Limerick School of Art and Design’s Fashion Department has been ranked as one of the top 50 fashion colleges worldwide. In a list which includes fashion colleges in Paris, London and New York, the Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) Fashion department is the only Irish college to be included.
Among an impressive list of its graduates are many well known fashion designers whose combined client list reads like a Who’s Who of the rich and famous, including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jessie J, Rihanna and Cheryl Cole.
The school has a long history of student success in prestigious national and international awards including the Smirnoff Fashion Awards, the Persil Fashion Awards, the Nokia Fashion Awards, the Mittelmoda Award, the Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Design Awards, the Golden Egg Awards, and the RDS Crafts Competition.
A delighted Dr Maria Hinfelaar, President of LIT said:
“We are all really proud to see our Fashion Design programme feature uniquely as the only Irish college on this global league table – it is richly deserved and I can’t wait to see the latest creations at the upcoming degree show on May 17!”
Commending the school on its prestigious ranking, Mayor Jim Long said this reflects in a very positive way on the city’s talent, creativity, fashion flair and successful design.
”I will be writing to the college to congratulate the teachers and students on their outstanding success over the other fashion colleges in Ireland.
“I wish them ongoing success in their work and their careers – we are proud of them.”
Commenting on the success of the Fashion Department Tracy Fahey, Head of Department of Art and Design said their fashion graduates are uniquely placed due to their experience, which includes “a strong pedagogical approach to all aspects of fashion from conceptual design to the practicalities of execution, and of course, our excellent work placement programme, where students take the opportunity to work in major fashion houses such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, Marc Jacobs, Gareth Pugh and Marchesa.”
The oldest of the five Schools at LIT, LSAD first opened its doors in 1852.
With its first fashion programme introduced in 1974, the School has since built up a prolific reputation in the fashion industry, nationally and internationally.
“A key to the School’s success has been that all incoming undergraduate students at LSAD share a common first year thus allowing them to find their artistic niche.
“Entry to the Fashion Design Programme is by competition and selection during this year and with a dedicated and highly qualified academic staff the curriculum is continuously evolving, keeping pace with emerging trends and technology,” says a spokesperson.
To see the latest designs from the LSAD final year students, tickets for The Limerick School of Art & Design LIT Fashion Show which will take place in The Gallery, Clare Street on Thursday May 17 can be bought online from the college.
