Emerald & Wax Showcases Sustainable Fashion from Barna to Dublin

Barna, Ireland - A local fashion designer and retailer, Virtue Shine, has once again been selected to feature her collection at Brown Thomas, a prestigious high-end department store located on Dublin's Grafton Street. The showcase will run from July 29 to August 11, 2025, presenting her latest collection, "Thread in Time." This collection emphasizes heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainable design, embodying a fusion of traditional Ghanaian motifs with modern fashion sensibilities.

Virtue Shine, the creative force behind Emerald & Wax, draws inspiration from her Ghanaian heritage, particularly the symbolic Adinkra motifs that have served as a form of communication and storytelling for generations. According to Shine, "This collection is a celebration of heritage and continuity. Through incorporating bold colors and intricate patterns, the collection explores how fashion can carry forward ancestral narratives while embracing modern identities."

Shine's journey began over a decade ago when she moved from New York to Galway with her family. Initially, she co-owned a retail shop in Barna, which she later left to focus on her online presence. However, the opportunity to open a new retail unit within a wellness hub in Barna reignited her passion for physical retail. "I didn’t realize how much my customers had missed me and vice versa. I had created a community, and I guess I had a responsibility to be present," she explained.

Despite the challenges faced by small business owners, especially in the creative sector, Shine emphasizes the importance of community support and the need for accessible resources. "There are some supports out there, but they are difficult to navigate and often don’t pan out to anything concrete. A lot more could be done to help small business owners, particularly those in the creative space," she stated.

The upcoming showcase at Brown Thomas is not only a significant milestone for Emerald & Wax but also highlights the growing interest in sustainable and ethically produced fashion. As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of their purchases, the demand for unique, handmade, and culturally significant clothing is on the rise.

In addition to her fashion endeavors, Shine’s work reflects broader trends in the fashion industry that favor sustainability and cultural storytelling. The integration of traditional motifs into contemporary designs serves as a reminder of the rich narratives that clothing can carry.

The event will not only highlight Shine's craftsmanship but also the increasing recognition of Irish designers on international platforms. According to Dr. Fiona McCarthy, a fashion industry expert at the National University of Ireland, Galway, "The inclusion of designers like Virtue Shine in high-profile retail spaces represents a significant shift toward valuing heritage and sustainability in fashion."

Emerald & Wax’s participation in the Dublin showcase aligns with global fashion trends that prioritize ethical practices and cultural inclusivity. As the collection prepares to debut, it exemplifies the ongoing evolution of the fashion industry, where stories and sustainability are woven into the fabric of modern design. The future of fashion, as indicated by these emerging designers, seems to be one that honors the past while innovating for a sustainable future.