Michelle crowned 'Nokia Young Fashion Designer 2008'

02 Jun '08

4 min read

The new Nokia Prism is a mobile phone which reflects an individual, glamorous, edgy and seductive personality. These distinctively urban handsets draw their inspiration from modern architecture, geometric shapes, sharp angled lines and neon light.

Alan O'Hara, General Manager, Nokia Ireland, commented; 'Now in its sixth year, the Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award has proven to unearth some of Ireland's top design talent.

The award continues to demonstrate Nokia's ongoing commitment to design and fashion and offers young designers a platform to showcase their talent and gain industry recognition. This is just the start of Michelle's career and winning this award will help to establish her on the fashion scene, like many of the previous NYFDA winners.'

The two joint runners up this year were Simone Rocha, National College of Art and Design and Louise Devereux, Limerick School of Art and Design, who each won €1,000 and a Nokia Prism handset.

Simone's design, 'Blackout', was inspired by 1950's cut crystal perfume bottles, which were translated into pleats and sculpted on to the body in crepe de chine, chiffon, silk taffeta and tulle fabrics.

Sequins finished the garment, along with a pleated body of stiff mohair wool – all in a black colour story with shimmers of silver. Louise Devereux's design, 'Zip It Up' took the rebellious attitude of 1950's female motorcycle pin ups and merged it with the style of 1980's hard edged leather wear.

The final garment resulted in a leather mini dress and sheer structured coat, which used inversed traditional fabrics. The use of sheer fabrics on the exterior and leather on the interior gave this piece a modern edge.

Ensuring its position as the premier student design award in Ireland, this year's Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award judging panel included some of the leading figures in Irish and international fashion; New York based shoe designer, Eileen Sheilds, dress designer Eilis Boyle, acclaimed knitwear designer Tim Ryan, leading Irish tailor, Louis Copeland and Clothes Show presenter Brendan Courtney.

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