This week we feature dry robes for dogs by DogDry, beautiful knitwear for men and women by McConnell Woollen Mills, contemporary jewellery by The Silver Loom and handmade home accessories by Mr Kite Designs.

Home & Gift 

 

DogDry

You’ve heard of drying robes for humans but what about man’s best friends? Let us introduce you to DogDry - the brilliant product for dogs of all sizes who just love to splash about.
 
Supported by Waterford LEO at Showcase, DogDry founder Frances O'Reilly has created a clever alternative to all those smelly wet towels in the back of the car. DogDry is an innovative drying robe for dogs that is available in six sizes and designed to comfortably fit dogs of all body shapes - from tiny terriers to large retrievers. 
 
Made from three layers of performance fabrics, the soft inner layer wicks moisture and odours from the dog's body. The super-absorbent middle layer locks it away and the leak-proof outer layer keeps the mess within the coat and out of the car and home.
 
Drying the dog while they wear it, DogDry comes with a detachable mitt which the owner can use to dry the dog’s ears, paws and tail. The robes are comfortable for the dog to wear, have the absorbency of five towels, are leak-proof and breathable.
 
DogDry drying robes were commended by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland at the Irish Business Design Challenge 2021 for how the product solved the problems of both the animal and its owner.
 
New at Showcase 2023 will be a new limited edition colour as well as a new product for dogs who love to travel with their owners. Woof!
 
Check out the DogDry exhibitor profile where you can discover more about the brand, enquire about their products or even set up a meeting. 

Fashion

McConnell Knitwear

 
Always a popular brand at Showcase, McConnell Woollen Mills is a Co. Clare based business which designs and manufactures contemporary knitwear for men and women using wool sourced in Ireland and from mills in Europe. 
 
Eighty percent of McConnell products are sold abroad in countries such as Germany, Japan and the United States. In Ireland the majority of McConnell’s retail customers are based along the Wild Atlantic Way where the product is popular with overseas visitors. 
 
Offering apparel with a strong focus on heritage and craftsmanship, McConnell’s collections draw inspiration from the traditional utilitarian sweater or Aran jumper which produces fisherman rib sweaters fashioned for the modern wardrobe. 
 
Bold colour palettes feature in the McConnell collections inspired by the natural beauty of Ireland’s landscapes. Styles for both men and women feature relaxed styling, modern proportions and contemporary detailing. 
 
The brand sources sustainable, natural yarns from mills in Ireland, Scotland and Italy with designs being made in wool/ silk blends, merino wool, cashmere/ lambswool blends, alpaca and mohair.
 
With years of experience supplying retailers at home and abroad, the all-female team at McConnell is growing apace producing a contemporary knitwear collection that is nonetheless classic and timeless.

Check out the McConnell Knitwear exhibitor profile where you can discover more about the brand, enquire about their products or even set up a meeting. 

Home & Gift 

Mr Kite Designs

Supported by the Cork City LEO, Mr Kite Designs is an Irish craft business producing a range of contemporary homewares and gifts including lampshades, cushions and cards. 
 
It was formed in 2016 by creative friends, Jade Hogan and Jo Slevin, who share a love of craft, design, colour and pattern. Between them, they design and make each piece at their studio in Cork city where they carefully source high quality materials including cottons (some organic) and velvets that reflect their bold, eclectic style. 
 
Their current collection includes lampshades made from Irish linen which is woven in Co. Wexford by the renowned Emblem Weavers and original fabric designs which are printed in Co. Donegal.
 
The Mr Kite Designs team will be bringing their handmade lampshades in three different sizes, their table lamps and cushions to Showcase this month as well as their range of greetings cards.  

Check out the Mr. Kite Designs exhibitor profile where you can discover more about the brand, enquire about their products or even set up a meeting. 

Jewellery 

The Silver Loom 

This year’s Showcase will be the first time The Silver Loom have participated at the show and brand founders Izabella and Andrew are keen to show buyers what they’ve been working on since launching their business two years ago.
 
The contemporary jewellery brand will be presenting the ‘Cascade’ collection which is inspired by movement and ‘features shapes that feel like fabric sculptures caught in flight’. This collection includes beautiful cuffs, pendants, earrings and rings which are simultaneously on trend yet timeless.
 
Inspired by the landscape around their studio in West Cork, they will also showcase their latest collection which is entitled ‘Erosion’ which is inspired by the effects of wind and water erosion on stone and which maintains the brand’s curves and soft lines while focusing on forms that ‘feel carved away or smoothly eroded’ to create pendants and half hoop earrings. 

Check out The Silver Loom's exhibitor profile where you can discover more about the brand, enquire about their products or even set up a meeting.