Derry Girls grace red carpet premiere in outfits by local designers Natalie Coleman and Amach

Glamour: Saoirse-Monica Jackson wearing Natalie B Coleman. Credit: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Jamie-Lee O’Donnell in her Amach dress. Credit: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph

Glamour: Saoirse-Monica Jackson wearing Natalie B Coleman. Credit: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Designer Natalie B Coleman.

Jamie-Lee O’Donnell in her Amach dress. Credit: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph

Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Liam McDaid is a Derry-based designer.

Glamour: Saoirse-Monica Jackson wearing Natalie B Coleman. Credit: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Clodagh Traynor

April 17 2022 08:03 PM

The designers behind outfits worn by two of the stars of Derry Girls at the series premiere have told of their pride at seeing their work showcased on the red carpet.

Saoirse Monica Jackson and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell wowed fans at the glitzy event in Londonderry earlier this month.

The pair opted to model Irish fashion brands for their big night. Although the pair’s attire contrasted in style, both outfits held meaning and values far beyond the items itself.

Saoirse donned a piece from Irish fashion brand Natalie B Coleman. This brand has been modelled at previous events including New York, Paris and London fashion week. Many Irish stars including Imelda May, Laura Whitmore and Vogue Williams have in the past graced the red carpet wearing the label.

Glamour: Saoirse-Monica Jackson wearing Natalie B Coleman. Credit: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Glamour: Saoirse-Monica Jackson wearing Natalie B Coleman. Credit: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Saoirse’s dress was selected from the 2021 collection titled ‘Sister, Mother, Goddess’. The designer and director Natalie B Coleman defined the collection as “a real celebration of the women who wore it”.

She said: “I collected together a high profile cast of women to collaborate with and created a bespoke dress design for each of them, inspired by the Goddess in every woman. I took powerful archetypes from women’s lives and linked these back to Goddesses; using symbols through embroidery, beading, shape and so on.

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“This collection is a celestial celebration of women heralding their divine achievements, multifaced talents, different bodies, sexuality and strength.”

Designer Natalie B Coleman.

Saoirse chose to wear a white silk taffeta dress, with embroidered and beaded detailing.

“It has the face of Sinead O’Connor,” said Natalie. “I really wanted to have a homage to her. It’s embroidered and beaded, with a halo over her head. I wanted it to look a little bit punky and for it to hold the spirit of Sinead O’Connor. I think Sinead is such an incredible woman and an inspiration.”

Natalie said she was delighted her design was showcased at such a high profile event.

“I was thrilled when Saoirse asked to wear the dress because she is a beautiful person,” she said. “She’s great craic and super gifted. It was great for her to wear it and to look so beautiful in it. Derry girls is an amazing series. I’ve met a lot of the cast and they’re all lovely people”.

The brand intends to launch a new collection this autumn.

Jamie-Lee showcased pieces from the up-and-coming sustainable Derry fashion brand Amach. The actor selected the outfit from the collection, “Euphoric love”.

Jamie-Lee O’Donnell in her Amach dress. Credit: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph

Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

Jamie-Lee O’Donnell in her Amach dress. Credit: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph

The collection is themed based on the rave scene in Ireland during the 1990s.

Brand owner Liam McDade said: “Dancefloors became safe havens for young people who wanted to escape the realities of separation and conflict. For me, Rave Culture offered more to the people of Ireland. It offered us the chance to meet people from every background and unified the youth way before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.”

Liam said he stayed up all night before the premiere to finish the design for Jamie-Lee.

“Jamie-Lee came into the shop last Wednesday,” he said. “I informed her that I have a new collection coming out; a couple of pieces based on the 90s style era. I gave her three or four options. She bought a few things in the shop as well.”

He added: “I didn’t have anything ready go, so I went up to the factory that night. I stayed up and prepared everything myself. I got it ready for her and brought it back in. She came in the next day and picked it up”.

Liam McDaid is a Derry-based designer.

Despite Jamie-Lee’s success as an actor, she remained loyal to the Derry business.

“It says a lot about Jamie-Lee as a person, the fact that she wanted to support a Derry brand,” said Liam.

“We’re just a small-time business. It’s a hard space to have an impact in fashion. I was really honoured to have her showcase it, and it was great for it to happen.

“If I could have picked one Derry Girl to wear my designs, I would have picked Jamie-Lee. More because her character in the show, I know a million Michelles. There was a bit of momentum happening for the brand and then Jamie-Lee wore my design and it sent it everywhere. I am so grateful.”

The clothing line is most known for its use of 100% sustainable materials.

Both designers can be found on Instagram, Facebook and their websites - www.nataliebcoleman.com and www.amachofficial.com