The historic Church Gallery at the Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD), TUS, was transformed into a high-octane fashion arena on Thursday night as the LSAD Fashion Runway Show 2026 made its spectacular return.
An audience of over 300 people attended the show, the first to be held since 2017. Guests included Limerick Mayor John Moran, LSAD alumna and Irish Designer Marion Murphy Cooney, and renowned fashion journalist Bairbre Power.
The evening served as a showcase for 30 graduating designers, whose work commanded the runway with innovation, intricate craftsmanship, and vibrant storytelling.
This year’s showcase was particularly significant as it featured designs from the evolved BA in Fashion Design. The collections were developed through four distinct specialist pathways: Collection Design, Applied Textiles, Technology for Fashion, and Sustainability for Fashion, reflecting the shifting landscape of the fashion industry.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, welcomed the return of the event to its spiritual home:
“Nine years is a long time to wait for anything — but seeing the collections tonight, it has been worth it. The LSAD Fashion Show is back and, in this building, where so much of Limerick’s creative story has been written. To our students, their families, our industry friends, colleagues, and everyone who has crossed the threshold of the historic doors of the LSAD gallery — thank you for being part of this comeback.”
Mayor of Limerick John Moran praised the show’s impact on the city’s cultural identity.
Addressing the 30 BA in Fashion Design students, Mayor Moran said: “Now, I know that some of you may leave Limerick for a while. And honestly, that is okay. You should go, explore, and travel. Work in different cities and build your confidence. Learn from the world. But know this: We are working to build a Limerick ambitious enough to welcome you back. A city increasingly connected internationally, a city beginning to believe in itself again and a city where creativity is no longer treated as secondary — but recognised as central to our future. Because the next great chapter of Limerick’s story will not only be built in steel, concrete and infrastructure — but also in creativity, culture and design.”
The show came together through the collaborative efforts of students from Business Studies with Beauty and Spa Management, who worked backstage managing the makeup artistry; the LSAD Filmcel team captured the evening, while professional models from the renowned Holman Lee Agency brought the collections to life.
Asta Lee, Managing Director of the Holman Lee Agency, noted the collaborative energy required to produce the show: “It was one of my proudest and exciting moments as a fashion show producer and choreographer to stand in the Church Gallery for the initial meeting… The student’s work is exceptional, and the models from the Holman Lee Agency showcased it beautifully to a perfect background of a carefully selected playlist by DJ Paudie Walsh. What made this show extra special is that a Limerick-based business, such as our agency, is working with the creative community in Limerick and TUS, strengthening our ties and connections.”
Creativity Award
The evening finished up with an the announcement of a new Award by Cyril Morgan Hair – owned by award-winning Limerick stylist Cyril Morgan. The prize was given to the designer whose collection stood out for Creativity.
Alicia Eugenia Castro Gonzalez, (pathway Technology for Fashion) was selected for the inaugural award for her collection “Akelarre, Season of the Witch” which is inspired by the cultural associations with witchcraft.
Graduate Showcase
Professor Anthony Caleshu, Dean of LSAD and Director of Creative Arts at TUS, highlighted the reach of LSAD across TUS campuses and the effort that has gone into exhibiting final year students’ work during this year’s LSAD Graduate Showcase Season.
“This year’s 2026 LSAD Fashion Show was a celebration of the design thinking and artistic bravery of the 30 graduating students. With some 300 people attending the return of this event after a 9-year hiatus, the enormous interest in Fashion in the city and the region was clearly reinforced. The Fashion Show forms part of our LSAD Graduate Showcase Season, existing alongside events such as the 20th anniversary of the BA Music Production and Technology on our Moylish campus and the 50th anniversary of Graphic Design in Athlone, demonstrating LSAD’s reach across our seven TUS campuses. On 30 May, we’ll be celebrating all of our fine art and education, design and creative and digital media programmes in our blockbuster end-of-year LSAD Graduate Show in Clare Street, Limerick on 30 May, and we look forward to everyone who can attend to this major cultural event.’’
The LSAD Graduate Showcase officially opens to the public on Saturday, May 30th , from 1pm, launched by podcaster, author and musician Blindboyboatclub. The exhibition will feature the work of graduates from across LSAD’s spectrum, including Fashion, Fine Art, Design, and Digital Creative disciplines. Members of the public are invited to experience the full breadth of talent that defines the 2026 graduating class.
