Dublin student wins River Island National College of Art and Design fashion scholarship

Molly Walters (23) was selected to receive the €3,500 grant and a three-month paid internship at River Island’s main office in London.

The coveted scholarship provides successful graduates with an invaluable first step into the world of commercial fashion, as many previous winners have their designs sold in River Island stores and online.

First introduced in 2004, the grant has proved extremely successful for aspiring Irish designers.

This year, River Island asked NCAD students to create a capsule collection for the spring/summer season to be judged by the company’s design team.

Molly’s winning entry Waste not, Want not was brought to life through a loungewear collection inspired by her late grandmother’s philosophy of cherishing and caring for her belongings and clothes.

Molly’s designs used techniques such as embroidery and printing to materialize memories.

Angela O’Kelly, Director of Design for the Body and Environment at ,NCAD, said, “Each year, the River Island competition project advances student skills and develops knowledge and expertise in key areas of innovative high-street fashion design.”

“The winning award, bursary and internship at River Island’s design studios in London provides our graduates with invaluable experience and an excellent entry point into the fashion industry.”

Naomi New, Head of Womenswear Design at River Island, added: “We are proud to be among the first to champion some of Ireland’s brightest new design talent.

“Our industry thrives on fresh ideas and it’s fantastic to be able to offer NCAD graduates the opportunity to join our London design studio to further develop their careers.”