Stunning.

Dublin student Ciara Masterson is the proud winner of the NCAD River Island Bursary with the news announced today. The NCAD student will receive a €3,500 bursary and a paid three-month internship at River Island’s design studio in London.

2018 marks the fifteenth year of the design bursary and this year students were asked to create a capsule spring summer collection.

Ciara's collection included a number of hero pieces with an oversized check coat and voluminous dress proving very popular. Both can be adapted to become more structured pieces thanks to the use of inbuilt drawstring belts. 

Detailed fabric and the use of ruching ensure these pieces make strong style statements and the colour palette was fresh with neutrals and light shades.

Those competing submitted portfolios of designs and the winning design was chosen by River Island's Design Controller, Lucy Moller, who won the bursary herself in 2006. Commenting on this year's entries, Lucy said:

"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".

Angela O’Kelly, Head of Design for Body and Environment, N.C.A.D., also commented on the news:

"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".