The Table, The Tree

Today's stirring event The Table, The Tree combined live singing by Megan Nic Ruairí, contemporary Irish music by acclaimed composer and musican Colm Mac Con Iomaire, energetic Irish dance by Ryan Kelly, and choreographed model movement in a cross disciplinary showcase of Irish craft and design that left audiences wanting more. 

Conceived by Creative Director Aisling Farinella, the live event, which took place on the Inspiration Stage at Showcase, saw models emerge onto a stage strung with washing lines of Irish linens and wools. The stage was decorarted with flowers and foliage evocative of the Irish countryside, as well as antique and vintage Irish vernacular furniture. 



The audience were mesmerised by the haunting voice of Co. Donegal singer Megan Nic Ruairí, the dancer Ryan Kelly then took up the action - using traditional Irish dance techniques in a contemporary fashion to engage the audience and those on stage in a delightful game of reciprocal clapping that that kept the rhythm and got the crowd going in an great example of trademark Irish "craic agus ceol" (fun and music). 



The models, who were wearing striking examples of the Irish fashion items on show at Showcase including knitwear, exquiste silks and accessories, then moved to set tables with craft and design items sourced from brands at the show - crockery and candles, dried flowers and glassware in an evocative event which hightlighted the array of product and talent at this year's show.

“Living through the most turbulent of times, the table is a communal, domestic space where we can come together as family, friends and community to share food, conversation, debate and culture,” explains Creative Director Aisling Farinella. “Connecting the table to the tree, we highlight the fundamental relationship of the material and the product - foregrounding the maker and sustainable practice.” 



“We need, more than ever, to create opportunities to bring people together in business, creativity and society - ensuring diverse voices, representation and sustainable practice at every table,” says Farinella of her concept.  “The Table, The Tree is centred on design and domesticity; craft and community. The setting brings together multiple practices within Irish design - from fashion to ceramics, glass to woven products. Our models, performance and set design embody multidimensional platforms to present a curation of the best of Showcase 2024.” 

Creative Director of The Table, The Tree, Aisling Farinella is a stylist, creative director, consultant, mentor and commentator working across fashion and cultural platforms. Her styling is featured in prominent Irish and international editorial and advertising campaigns. Aisling’s consultancy work connects business and creative objectives for commercial, educational and cultural organisations. She an industry mentor for Design & Crafts Council Ireland. She has judged numerous design industry awards including Future Makers, ICAD and IDI. Aisling contributes as a commentator on Irish fashion to publications including The Times Style, i-D and Irish Arts Review. She is a guest lecturer at NCAD and LSAD and has been a key note speaker at design conferences including Offset and The Future.

Find out about all the other events taking place over the next two days here. 

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