Limerick College of Further Education celebrated their annual fashion, hair and beauty event recently in the historic city location of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Miia Satama of the LCFE Fashion Department explained “we were looking for a fresh, challenging theme and venue to showcase the energetic, original talent that exists among the fashion, hair and beauty learners in the college. We felt the theme ‘Gothichaos’ would be an ideal way to utilise Limerick’s magnificent historic buildings, St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. John’s Cathedral, as a source of inspiration.”
“This inspiration was seen within the cut and fabric manipulation in the inventive garments in the show. We are delighted that St. Mary’s Cathedral facilitated us to hold the event in this ancient structure. This has stimulated the college staff and learners to create a truly memorable event this year.”
Gothic-themed musical accompaniment was provided by members of Limerick School of Music which is celebrating 50 years of music in 2012.
The judges at the event were Caroline Mitchell, Limerick-based Knitwear Designer; Marie Berkery of Debenhams and Margaret Murphy from the Regional Waste Management Office.
LCFE welcomed sponsorship support again this year from the local Limerick business community, including the Regional Waste Management Office, which sponsored the ‘Claret’ and ‘Alabaster’ section of the show.
Garments in this segment were made from recycled materials and hand-dyed natural fibre dresses. The unique designs were created using regenerated, recyclable materials to produce raw and edgy fashion. Margaret Murphy of Regional Waste Management presented student prizes for the ‘Most Innovative’ and ‘Most Environmentally Friendly’ outfits to Lihua Chao for Most Innovative & Environmentally Friendly “Claret”, and Michelle Courtney Ryan for Most Innovative & Environmentally Friendly “Alabaster”.
Also sponsorsing the event were Lena’s Knitting and Sewing Shop, The Cloth Shop, Art Mad of John Street, IBS – Irish Business Solutions and Trevor Askin of Amber Service Station, Old Cork Road.
Fashion students also competed for prizes across two other categories: Most Creative Knitwear, which was won by Stephen Lynch, and Most Commercially Viable Collection, which was won by Ludmila Olesova. 
Garments, makeup and hair specially conceived for the show, were all the creative designs of LCFE students, with the Student Hair Creations awards going to 1st: Larrisa Gubarkova; 2nd: Tina Driscoll; and 3rd: Jade Sheridan.
Pictured – Margaret Murphy of Regional Waste management, Model Sarah, Michelle Courtney Ryan winner of the most innovative environmentally friendly alabaster outfit, MC Patrick Hogan
