Irish designers are important ambassadors and have actively promoted not just Irish fashion, but the best of the new, confident mood in Ireland, according to the Tánaiste.
Ms Harney was speaking at St Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle which was the venue for the Irish Tatler Designer Showcase.
Six Irish designers - John Rocha, Paul Costelloe, Jen Kelly, Ciaran Sweeney, Orla Kiely and Louise Kennedy - presented their spring/summer collections at the showcase yesterday.
It was the first catwalk show in her native city for Orla Kiely, a leading knitwear, textile and accessory designer based in London.
Her business, which she started 10 years ago, is growing internationally, particularly in the US and Asia. She will open six shops in Japan and Korea in the next six months.
The event was originally initiated by publisher Norah Casey, a founder member of the Irish Women's Network, in the Irish Embassy in London last June to raise funds for the Irish Youth Foundation.
Her main purpose was to raise the profile of Irish designers who lack the profile and reputation enjoyed by musicians and writers.
The collections reflected diverse approaches.
Couturier Jen Kelly showed in the grand manner, with silk Duchesse satin frock coats and high boots, cobra and nappa leather suits, lamé lace dresses and stately black ballgowns.
If Louise Kennedy and John Rocha had anything in common, it was their radically different treatment of embellishment, Kennedy with handsewn beads and crystal on printed silks and lurex tweeds, and Rocha with his elaborate offbeat black and white patchwork skirts and jackets.
Ciaran Sweeney sent out models in long slithery handprinted black evening wear and sumptuous velvet cloaks.
Costelloe's prim tweed coats, slim fitting pink sheaths and straw hats were straight out of Breakfast at Tiffanys.