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15th Feb 2017

Kilkenny disco defends dress code after blasting “deplorable dresses” worn at teenage ball

Conor Heneghan

Organisers are not shying away from a stance that created much controversy this week.

Organisers of Fusion Ball, described as “Kilkenny’s biggest teenage event” have defended their stance over their dress code, having blasted the “deplorable dresses” worn at the last event in a Facebook post earlier this week.

The post, which included pictures of the types of dresses deemed unacceptable to wear, was the source of much controversy, with commenters on the Facebook post claiming that the dress code was sexist and that women were being body shamed as a result.

The dress code requires boys to wear a shirt and tie, slacks and shoes, while girls are required to wear a dress (which can be knee length or just above the knee) and shoes (sandals, heels or flat pumps).

In an effort to defend their position, Fusion Ball posted on Facebook on Monday night to say that a dress code has always been in place at these events, stretching back to 2005.

Organisers serve a reminder about the event before every ball and it is also published on the back of all tickets.

The post in full reads as follows:

We organise these events for 15 year old children to attend in a safe, supervised and fun environment.

Our Dress-code has always been in place,since our first ever ball back in 2005. We put up a reminder of this before every ball and we also have it on the back of all tickets.

The Dress-code is as follows:
Boys Wear: Shirt and Tie, Slacks and Shoes
Girls Wear: A Dress and Shoes

Shoes can be sandals, heels or flat pumps
Dress can be knee length or just above the knee

Fusion Ball Team

The next event, a mid-term ball, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 23 February at 9pm in Pegasus Nightclub in Kilkenny.

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