Founded in 2022, the University of Limerick’s Fashion Society has quickly established itself into student life, offering a safe space for anyone interested in style.
While it started small, the UL Fashion Society has developed majorly with over 100 new members since the start of the 2025 autumn semester.
First-year Arts student Amber joined the society after hearing about the Hot Girl Shimmer Mixer that the Fashion Society hosted at the beginning of the semester, “It was the only society that really suited my interests,” she said.
“All the members are so welcoming, they make you feel like you’ve been here for 10 years. The activities such as decorating tote bags and scrapbooking are fun and different, and there’s never a moment where you don’t want to come to a meeting.”
Amber added that making friends came easily: “I felt so welcome when I first joined. I made friends almost instantly. It’s a really nice, friendly environment.”
Fashion Society Chairperson Melissa McGuirk says, “For me it’s really a safe space for girls and boys who are interested in fashion.
“It means a lot that every week I get to run a space where girls can be themselves.
“I think as women we aren’t taken as seriously when it comes to ‘girly’ things such as fashion, so this is a community to embrace that.”
However, running a relatively new society isn’t easy, as each week’s event is creative and unique.
“Coming up with ideas every week can be stressful,” Melissa admitted.
“You’re always wondering, ‘Is this what the members want, or just what the committee wants?’”
“Since there’s no fashion design course in UL, there aren’t many examples to lead from when creating this society, it’s a completely new concept in UL.”
Despite certain difficulties, this semester has been a turning point. After last year’s difficulty with low numbers, the society has seen its meetings flourish.
“I’ve had girls come up to me and express how much Fashion Society means so much to them,” Melissa fondly recalls.
“Some were really lonely in college and made new friends here. I think loneliness in college isn’t talked about enough. University life is romanticised, and it’s not like that for everyone.”
For Melissa, who is a mature student, the club has been deeply meaningful, “Having a social life and making friends through Fashion Soc was important to me. Being around likeminded people who share the same interests is really nice.”
The UL Fashion Society ended semester one on a high note and are ready to bring even more creativity and style into semester two with the Fashion Society Met Gala.