A Dublin design student has beaten stiff competition to win a prestigious €3,500 bursary and an internship with River Island.
Una King, who is a final-year student at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin was chosen as the winner of the River Island NCAD fashion design bursary.
The highly sought-after bursary is now in its sixteenth year and has provided previous winning graduates with a stepping stone into the commercial fashion world.
Past winners have had their designs sold in River Island stores and online and many have gone to work for the company.
Students entering this year's competition were asked to design a capsule collection for the spring/summer season.
The designs were judged by River Island’s Head of Womenswear Design, Lucy Moller.
Lucy, who won the bursary in 2006, commended the high standard of entries this year.
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She said: "The River Island NCAD bursary launched my fashion career 13 years ago, and we’re proud to be amongst the first to champion some of Ireland’s brightest new design talent.
"Our industry thrives on fresh ideas, and it’s fantastic to give NCAD graduates the chance to come to our London design studio to develop their careers.”
Una’s eye-catching winning entry was designed with Ireland's changeable weather in mind.
The garments provide protection for the wearer and combine muted neutrals with bright pops of orange.
The chic collection was modelled by Thalia Heffernan.
The talented young woman will now have the opportunity to work at River Island's head office design studio in London on a three-month paid placement.
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Angela O'Kelly, Head of Design for Body and Environment at NCAD said: "The ongoing support of River Island is central to the activities of our fashion division.
"Through NCAD, each year the project advances skill set in the students, developing knowledge and expertise in key areas of innovative high street fashion design.
"The bursary and placement at the River Island design studio in London offer invaluable experience for our graduates and a superb launch pad into the fashion industry."
