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Oliver hopes for some Kate style
magic
19.02.12
by Linda McGrory
A INISHOWEN fashion student will vie for honours
next weekend on the same catwalk that Prince William
first clapped eyes on a young Kate Middleton a
decade ago.
Oliver Doherty has made the shortlist for the Alfa
Romeo Young Designer Award to be showcased at the
annual St Andrew's Charity Fashion Show in Edinburgh
on February 25.
The aspiring young designer is now hoping to catch
the eyes of the VIPs, just as art history student
Kate did while modelling her friend’s see-through
shift dress in 2002. |
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One of Oliver Doherty's designs that
have secured him a place on the shortlist for the
Alfa Romeo Young Designer of the Year Award. |
Twenty year old Oliver,
from Ballyharry, Culdaff, is one of just five - and
the only student from an Irish college - to make the
grade at this year's prestigious event.
He is in his final year of a Higher National Diploma
in textiles at the North West Regional College in
Derry.
His short-listed collection contains five pieces of
beautifully hand woven clothing. All of his yarn was
sponsored by Donegal Yarns while he also had
assistance from weaving factory, Molloy & Sons.
He will present his creations to a panel of fashion
experts this week and will then showcase his work on
the catwalk at the 20th St Andrew's Charity Fashion
Show - the UK’s largest student-run fashion show.
Oliver was thrilled when he realised his designs
would be shown on the same famous catwalk once
graced by the Duchess of Cambridge. |
“It makes the
competition all the more special and exciting. It’s
crazy to think that my clothes are going to be on
the same catwalk that Kate walked down in that
see-through dress, especially now that it’s the
tenth anniversary,” he beamed. He is also a big fan
of the duchess’s elegant style. “I love her fashion
sense, she’s very ladylike.”
The young designer's star is on a steady rise. One
of his creations was chosen by singing star Florence
Welch of Florence and the Machine for a worldwide
competition to design her a stage outfit. He also
made it to the final of last year's Craft Master
programme on RTE. For the upcoming competition,
entrants had to take their inspiration from the Alfa
Romeo car brand while also looking to the past. |
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Donegal textiles student Oliver
Doherty who is one of only five vying for the title
of Alfa Romeo Young Designer of the Year Award. |
He is now hoping to be
crowned 2012 Alfa Romeo Young Designer with a prize
cheque of £1,000. The winner will also get funding
to create a garment for this year’s chosen charity,
the Muir Maxwell Trust, which supports children with
epilepsy.
Alfa Romeo head of brand for the UK, Damien Dally,
said: "Now in its second year, the award is going
from strength to strength and you can see that in
the quality of entrants this year, which has been
phenomenal.”
The public will also play a part in deciding the
overall winner. For more on how to vote visit
vote for Oliver on facebook . Oliver, who is the
son of Sarah and Clement and brother to Danielle, is
appealing for local people to support him online,
and at present his designs have him leading the
public vote. |
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