Dundalk Institute Launches Wear Her Story Project
The initiative blends Irish textile heritage with creative technology to empower young women through digital storytelling.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Fashion
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Dundalk Institute of Technology and Glow NI have launched the Wear Her Story project to help young women build confidence and explore their identities. The initiative combines historical textile narratives with modern tools to provide a platform for participants to share their voices.
Why it matters
By integrating archival records with new media, the project encourages participants to connect with their heritage while developing modern technical skills. It aims to foster personal growth and identity exploration for young women through creative expression.
The Wear Her Story initiative is a 15-month project funded by the Special EU Programmes Body. Participants utilize advanced tools such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and virtual reality to create digital dresses for smartphone try-on.
The players
Dundalk Institute of Technology
A higher education institution in Ireland that provides academic programs and facilitates community-based research initiatives.
Glow NI
An organization focused on empowering women through community programs and personal development initiatives in Northern Ireland.
Jacqueline Toal
An assistant lecturer at the Dundalk Institute of Technology who contributes academic expertise to the project.
Special EU Programmes Body
A cross-border body responsible for managing and overseeing European Union funding programs for regional development.
The details
The program incorporates museum visits, wellbeing activities, and workshops that utilize archive footage of the Irish linen industry to spark discussions. Through the PEACEPLUS Changemakers project, participants explore the intersection of traditional craft and future technology.
Timeline
November 14, 2026: Next workshop takes place at Vault Artist Studios.
2027: Final exhibition and showcase occurs.
Culture Shift
The project operates under the PEACEPLUS funding program, reflecting a broader shift toward using cultural heritage and creative technology to foster social cohesion. It signals a move away from traditional static history toward active, participant-led identity exploration.
Participants gain hands-on experience with 3D printing and laser cutting, equipping them with relevant digital skills for their personal or professional portfolios. The program also provides a structured environment for those interested in the intersection of wellbeing and modern design.
The takeaway
This project demonstrates how historical archives can remain relevant through the integration of modern digital tools. Readers can consider how their own family or cultural histories might be reimagined through contemporary technology to create new forms of self-expression.
What happens next
Participants will continue their creative development throughout the 15-month program, culminating in a planned public exhibition and showcase during 2027.
Further reading
Explore more trends in Fashion to see how industry heritage is meeting modern digital innovation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Irish News.
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