Introducing the 2024 Design a Costumer Sponsor

Gavin Doherty, the creative force behind Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty, has been passionate about costume design since childhood. Growing up, he was inspired by his mother, who painstakingly hand-embroidered Irish dance costumes. This early exposure to costume creation, combined with a keen interest in Celtic art, fueled his journey into the world of design. Gavin's first opportunity to design a dress came at the age of 11, and from there, his path was set despite initially studying mathematics and computing at university. “I feel very proud every time I see one of my costumes go on stage but I feel even more excited when I see a dancer’s eyes light up and they smile at the sight of their new ‘Gavin’,” Gavin reflects.

Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty is celebrated for its innovative and high-quality Irish dancing costumes. Gavin's commitment to using only the best materials and his hands-on approach in working with his design team ensure each dress enhances the dancer's performance.
This year’s grand prize winner will be chosen exclusively by Gavin himself, adding even more prestige to winning this long-standing costume competition. For more information, visit their official website.

Get started designing: Dress Template or Jacket Template!

Eligibility and Rules

• Any Irish Dancer, parent of a Dancer, or Irish Dance teacher may enter to win! However, previous Grand Prize winners and those who have worked for Irish Dancing Magazine in 2020-2024 including employees, freelancers and interns are excluded from entering.
• Official templates (links below) must be used for each entry and cannot be altered in size or shape. Templates submitted that were noticeably altered will not be considered.
• You may cover the official entry template with cardboard, fabric, etc. but cannot noticeably compromise the size or shape of the template. You may use a computer-generated design but be sure all work (including pasted graphics) is your own intellectual property
• Multiple entries by one person are allowed.
• You must deisgn both the front and back of the costume.
• The Grand Prize winner will be chosen by Gavin Doherty. All Decisions are final
• Entries must include name, age, dance school, city, country, email and phone number.
• We reserve the right to promote entries on IDM's print and online channels.
• Entries must be received by midnight CST on September 30, 2024. Voting will remain open until Thursday, October 31, 2024
• The winning design may be altered by Eire Designs by Gavin.
• The decision regarding choice of fabric and stones shall be exclusive to Eire Designs by Gavin.
• Eire Designs by Gavin will provide the finished costume, within 12 months from the time the winner is notified.
• Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash.
• Winners can pick up their costumes at Eire Designs by Gavin in Belfast OR pay for the shipping costs of the costume if they are unable to collect in person.
• Get started designing: Dress Template or Jacket Template!

How to Enter: August 15-September 30

1. Download your the official template
2. Create your costume design by hand (colours/paint) or by computer generated design system.
3. Watch for clues and helpful videos on IDM's social media channels.
4. Design one or multiple costumes.
5. Upload your design HERE.
6. Like and follow @irishdancingmagazine and @eiredesigns_official on Instragram, Facebook and TikTok to stay updated for the latest contest information.

Voting will take place between Oct 1–Oct 31, so share your entry early on to increase your odds of winning the People’s Choice award.

REMEMBER - you can vote once EACH DAY in October!

Share your design from IDM’s contest entry page and tell them to ‘like’ your design.

Be sure to use the hashtags #IDMcontest & #elitedancedesigns on all your shares.

Voting will take place between Oct 1–Oct 31, so share your entry early on to increase your odds of winning the People’s Choice award. REMEMBER - you can vote once EACH DAY in October!

Questions? Email cameron@irishdancing.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry FAQs

Enter as many different designs as you'd like!

Entry Form Hints:
Dress Name: Choose a name for your creation. (ie Monarch Dress, Celtic Hearts....)

Photo: 
1. Upload the FRONT of your dress/vest. Choose the file, upload it. And then use the arrows to adjust what will show on the main contest page. (The whole image will show on your special entry page.)
Must be a jpg file under 2mb in order to upload!
2. Then select to upload an image of the BACK of your design as an additional photo.

Submit: Submit your design and share with your friends. The more votes you get the better the chance of winning the People's Choice Award! 
Starting October 1 - Your friends can VOTE for your design ONCE A DAY.

 *:  Be sure to fill in all these fields in order to submit your entry.

QUESTIONS????: Email cameron@irishdancing.com. We are happy to upload your entry for you.

GOOD LUCK!!!