OVER 50 stories, fairytales and dreams come true is the underlying theme of the now annual 50 Years of Fashion Exhibition during the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

“The inspiration for this exhibition was conceived as part of our 50 Year Celebrations in 2009 and relies on the generous loan by the Roses of Tralee of their winning dresses which they have lovingly preserved over the years. Included in the exhibition is at least one dress from each decade, from the 1950s through to 2010. The oldest dress is a replica of the one worn by the first Rose of Tralee Alice O’Sullivan in 1959,” said Collette Haverty who is the Exhibition Curator.

A Rose of Tralee’s dress is very significant, not only can people recall a Rose’s name but also what dress she wore for her interview. In the words of 1989 Rose of Tralee Sinead Boyle: “When people recall me winning they say ‘you said a poem and wore that beautiful green dress!’”

In the early years, buying from a designer or from a specialist shop was not an option for the Roses. Kathleen Welsh made her dress herself, and a friend of Brenda Hyland’s mother made hers. By the 1980s Roses were shopping in boutiques and attracting the interest of top designers. 1995 Rose of Tralee Nyomi Horgan’s dress was created by a leading Perth designer and required one whole suitcase all to itself when she bought it over from Australia to Tralee.

1968 Rose of Tralee Eileen Slattery’s dress typifies the flared lines and dandy style of the 1960s, whereas 1974 Rose of Tralee Maggie Flaherty’s stripy number highlights the more outlandish mode of the 70s.

Sinead Boyle’s, Diane Hannagen’s and Larna Canoy’s dresses reflect the 1980s trend of puff ball skirts, and puff sleeves and by the early late 1990s Luzveminda O’Sullivan and Colleen Mooney show the fashion for more straight lines and a tighter fit.

Moving into the new century, Roisin Egenton and Lisa Manning opt for straight lines and mixing materials, such as a shiny fabric with contrasting crocheted overlays.

For more recent Roses like 2004 Rose of Tralee Orla O’Shea, 2005 Rose of Tralee Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin and 2006 Rose of Tralee Kathryn Feeney, colours have become more sophisticated. Deep reds and purples take the place of lighter blues and pinks and mark a dramatic move from the whites and yellows of the 1970s and 80s.

The advent of the Rose of Tralee Selection being televised by RTÉ had a huge influence with designers keen to get their styles shown on one of the nation’s most watched programmes, and allowing Roses to literally choose a dress made for them.

Roses are now advised on colours that will work on television and on opting for plain fabrics, resulting in fewer pale colours and the decorated/patterned fabrics of years gone by.

Styles have also become more revealing over the years, with strapless gowns, off the shoulder designs and plunging backlines replacing high necks and long sleeves. Roses are more confident to show off their curves, evident in Kathryn Feeney’s and Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin’s figure-hugging styles.

Kathryn Feeney’s dress was actually bought as a bridesmaid’s dress for her sister’s wedding until her sister decided to elope to a tropical island! Fortunately Kathryn managed to put the dress to good use. Many people remember 1991 Rose of Tralee Denise Murphy’s dress, a two-piece with a removable skirt to allow her to perform her Irish dancing piece. 1994 Rose of Tralee Muirne Hurley’s dress was designed to reflect Limerick castle, with a turret and castle motif running throughout the design. Geraldine O’Grady’s dress was stitched with quotes from Yeats, her favourite poet.

The 50 Years of Fashion Exhibition will run for the duration of the Festival at the Kerry County Museum, Denny Street, Tralee open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Free passes will be available from the Rose of Tralee Office, Denny Street, Tralee until Thursday 19^th August (relocating to the Carlton Hotel Tralee from Friday 20^th August).

For full details visit www.roseoftralee.ie or call the Festival Office on 066-7121322.

Ends

Issued by John Drummey Communications on behalf of the Rose of Tralee International Festival

For interview & image requests please contact John Drummey on 087-7909487 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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