Designs on Family – Finalists Announced for This Year’s Persil Irish Fashion Awards

The Persil Irish Fashion Awards are celebrating their 15th year as one of the highest fashion bursary competition's in Europe. The eight finalists for The Persil Irish Fashion Awards ’14 have been announced - the talented winning designer will receive €10,000 plus the chance to have their creative outfit manufactured and sold in Dunnes Stores. The final will take place this September on TV3’s Xposé, offering all the finalists a wonderful platform to showcase their talent. Both Peter O’Brien and Carolyn Donnelly were bowled over with the talent of the finalists this year, Peter O’Brien felt that the “finishing, binding and lining was incredibly well thought through, and because there is a childs outfit included they really thought through the practicality element. 100% improvement over previous years”. The students brief was to design a mum’s and child’s outfit for a playdate in the park. The eight finalists in the Persil Irish Fashion Awards 2014 are:  1)     Aimee Chan aged 22 from NCAD. Aimee is a talented designer that hails from a creative background, heavily influenced by her Chinese ancestry. “At 11 years of age, I was brought to a fashion designer’s studio in Hong Kong, where I got my first proper glimpse into the fashion industry. That was when I knew that fashion was an area that I wanted to work in.” 2)     Caoimhe Mac Neice aged 22 from NCAD. Caoimhe has had a love of fashion from a young age and has gained experience and knowledge through an internship in London that has focused her interest in functional, well made- garments. “If I were to win the competition it would provide me with an invaluable opportunity to pursue my career. I aim to gain more experience through interning both at home and abroad to ultimately become a stronger designer." 3)     Nicole Jackson from LSAD. Nicole is a skilled designer who gained an interest in art and design while in school and her love for design has grown from there. “ Being selected as a finalist somewhat endorses my work to date and winning the competition would allow and encourage me to further my knowledge and understanding through a Master’s degree programme focusing on fabric abilities and textiles.” 4)     Helen Hayes from Grafton Academy. Helen is a talented designer, wife, mum and lover of Persil! “If I were to win, I would be very keen to apply to the National Tailoring Academy to further my studies. I am very interested in garment construction, creating the perfect fit and all of the hidden details that go on underneath to make a garment perfect.” 5)     Amie Egan aged 23 from NCAD. Amie is a final year student that hails from a creative background with an interest in creating a story through design and fashion. “In the coming years I aim to further develop my ideas about fashion, dress and clothing with the hope of establishing a unique identity and brand. In the future, I hope to complete a Master’s degree in Womenswear Fashion at the Royal College of Art in London. This Prize money would certainly aid my success in this journey I am embarking on.” 6)     Hannah Choy O’Byrne aged 22 from NCAD. Hannah is a talented designer that hales from a creative background, heavily influenced by her grandmother who was a self taught dressmaker and her uncle, an artist in Berlin. “I am delighted to be selected as one of the finalists in the Persil Irish Fashion Awards. The award would allow me to be adventurous and to explore new or familiar cultures. I would like to collaborate with contemporary designers, while developing my own personal aesthetic.” 7)     Andrew Bell aged 22 from NCAD. Andrew has spent time interning in London where his admiration for practical and beautiful clothing was nurtured. He said: “Following my graduation in September 2014 I plan on working in Ireland and saving towards moving to London. I would like to gain industry experience there, designing commercially for a large commercial company while saving for a Masters, which I would ideally undertake at the Royal College of Art in London.” 8)     Rachel Duke aged 22 from NCAD. Rachel is a talented designer that hales from a creative background, her grandmother was an accomplished dress maker. “I would use the prize money to invest in my career in the fashion industry. After college I want to go abroad to gain more experience in the industry for a year or two. I would love to be able to return to Ireland and set up a studio of my own. I think it is important to invest in Irish fashion and grow the industry in Ireland as the potential is here.”