The 2nd Annual Oireachtas Charity Fashion Show took place on Tuesday 12th November at The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin 2. The proceeds of the Oireachtas Charity Fashion Show will go to support Motor Neurone Disease research.

In 2012, when Deputy Nicky McFadden was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, her Oireachtas friend and colleague Minister Jimmy Deenihan asked stylist Marietta Doran to organise a fashion show to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research.

Colleagues from all political parties participated in what was a very successful event, with more than €20,000 being raised last year.Politicians again this year exchanged their usual garb of business suits and conservative clothing for some cutting-edge fashions from many of Ireland’s top designers.

Oireachtas members who participated include Simon Coveney, Richard Bruton, Micheál Martin,Denis Naughten, Sean Conlan, Martin Haydon, Anthony Lawlor, Derek Keating, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Eoghan Murphy, Tom Barry, Arthur Spring, Heather Humphreys, Timmy Dooley, Billy Kelleher, Áine Collins, Sandra McLellen, Michelle Mulherin, Deirdre Clune, Eamon Coghlan, Imelda Henry, Fidelma Healy Eames, Cait Keane, Catherine Noone, Susan O’Keeffe, Hildegarde Naughton, John Crown, Mark Daly, Averil Power, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, and Jimmy Deenihan.

Politicians were also joined by professional models including former Miss World, Rosanna Davison, Roz Purcell, Suzanne Jackson of So Sue Me Blog, Cristina Aston of Andrea Roche Modelling Agency, Sarah Morrissey, Karen Fitzpatrick, Yumiko Chen, Naomi Cullen and Matthew John of Assets, as well as some special guests from the worlds of sport and TV including GAA All Star Paul Galvin, this year’s All-Ireland Final’s Man of the Match Bernard Brogan, rugby pundit Brent Pope, Robert Hall of RTÉ Racing, weather presenter Nuala Carey, plus a number of surprise models.

Clothing from leading Irish designers  featured, including Jen Kelly Couturier, Master Tailor Louis Copeland, Helen Cody, Sean Byrne, Heidi Higgins, Niamh O’Neill, Claire Garvey, Helen Steele, and Patrick Casey’s stunning collection for Myrtle Ivory Bridal Couture, as well as the creations of award-winning Irish milliners Mark T. Burke, Aoife Hannon and Aoife Kirwan.