River Island Bursary
N.C.A.D. Student Ciara Masterson Wins €3,500 River Island Bursary
River Island, leading high street fashion retailer is delighted to announce the winner of its National College of Art and Design (N.C.A.D) Fashion Design Bursary. Ciara Masterson from Dublin has been selected to receive a €3,500 bursary and paid three-month internship at River Island’s design studio in London.
The highly sought after bursary provides the winning graduate with an invaluable first step into the challenging commercial fashion world. Past winners have seen their designs sold in River Island stores worldwide. River Island is committed to supporting Irish design talent. This is the fifteenth year of the River Island Bursary which offers final year fashion design students in N.C.A.D. the chance to win a paid three-month internship at the company’s inhouse design studio at its London based Head Office.
This year River Island asked the N.C.A.D. students to create a capsule collection for Spring Summer 2018. Each entrant submitted a portfolio of designs which were judged by River Island’s current Design Controller Lucy Moller. Lucy, who won the 2006 N.C.A.D bursary - was hugely impressed with the high standard of design submitted by entrants this year. ‘’ River Island’s N.C.A.D bursary launched my fashion career 12 years ago, so I am delighted to be among the first to witness some of Ireland’s brightest new design stars as they start on their journey. Our industry thrives on fresh ideas and it’s fantastic to give N.C.A.D graduates the chance to work as an extension of our design team in London. ‘’
Ciara’s winning collection combines fashion and functionality. Featuring hero pieces such as an oversized check coat and voluminous dress that can be adapted to become more structured with the clever use of in built drawstring belts. Fabric detailing combined with ruching adds texture and definition, whilst the colour palette is kept fresh and Spring like in tonal neutrals.
The N.C.A.D bursary, which was first launched in 2004, has proven to be extremely successful for aspiring Irish designers, the majority of whom have gone on to become full time members of the 100 plus River Island design team. At River Island we are dedicated to employing talented young fashion graduates, which through our N.C.A.D. bursary scheme here in Ireland we’re able to offer a starting platform to emerging young talent.
"The ongoing support of River Island is central to supporting activity within our Fashion division at N.C.A.D. Each year the River Island project advances skill set in the students, developing knowledge and expertise in key areas of innovative high street fashion design. The bursary and placement in River Island’s design studios in London offer invaluable experience for our graduates, and a superb launch pad into the fashion industry. "Angela O’Kelly, Head of Design for Body and Environment, N.C.A.D.
-ENDS-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Please contact Emma Bolger (01) 6770414/ 0861713284
Emma.bolger@river-island.com
