Once the artistic director of Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh, expressed that fashion is more than just clothing, it’s a cultural effigy. This idea was particularly emphasised this week at the annual National Ploughing Championships, which took place in Ratheniska, County Laois.
The fusion of culture, fashion and trade was evident at the event’s “fashion dome”, a hub serving as the runway for models, where thrice-a-day fashion shows were held. Irish fashion expert, Celia Holman Lee, referred to it as among the most continuously successful fashion displays in the country.
Agnes Ryan, a longstanding attendee of the Ploughing Championships, echoed this sentiment. She stated that rural women recognise this event and often arrive an hour early to secure a seat. She reflected how those outside the agricultural community might not comprehend that the annual ploughing contest, a major event of its kind, offers abundant allure for women, in addition to men.
A farmer from the area, Ger Keogh, described farm fashion as an artistic replication necessitated by practicality. Following the morning fashion show, he appreciated the showcased designs as intelligent and extremely practical. He pointed out that the ensembles enable looking smart without requiring huge investment.
In contrast to the thoughtful fashion on display, Mr Keogh, sporting a scruffy blue baseball cap, a suit jacket and a cream shirt, confessed he hadn’t contemplated long about his attire for the day. While he felt care put into dressing might be destroyed by inevitable farm mess, he admired the youth for their unique style.
Amongst younger attendees, blue jeans and county jerseys were favoured. Current hairstyles trended towards a buzz-cut mullet, with Ray-Ban sunglasses as a key accessory. The once popular “Connell chain” is now sparingly seen, with cowboy hats being more prevalent amongst older participants.
Back at the fashion show, a “stunning winter coat” attracted Agnes Ryan’s attention. On asked if she was considering an addition to wardrobe, she jested about the end-of-year farming extravagance before the next big farming efforts.