Ellise has designs on top fashion award

Antrim student Ellise Richards has been announced as a finalist in the Wedding Journal’s Young Designer of the Year 2016
Ellise Richards.Ellise Richards.
Ellise Richards.

Launched by Wedding Journal magazine in May, the annual competition invited creative individuals, young designers and fashion students across Ireland to design a wedding dress.

From over 80 mood board entries, 10 shortlisted wedding dress designs will now compete for a place in the final, with finalists’ dresses being showcased on the catwalk at The Wedding Journal Show in Dublin, Belfast and Cork in January.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ellise, who attends Belfast Metropolitan College said: “As the Italian name ‘Bella Bianca Rosa’ suggests, the main inspiration for my dress is the beauty and elegance of a simple rose.

“The dress will be made from white satin suggesting the softness of white rose petals, and it will have a long white chiffon train. I will sew ribbon and beadwork onto the shoulders, waist and train end. The ribbon work will consist of white silk ribbon twisted to make rose buds, and spider web rose embroidery.

“The shape, length and recurring use of white give the dress a simplistic elegance and the plunging neckline allows the dress to be a little more modern and daring, without taking away from its gracefulness.

“From a very young age I have always been creative and passionate about fashion and design. I can’t explain how thrilled I am to have made it through to the final five. Studying fashion and design at Belfast Metropolitan College has opened up many amazing opportunities, this by far being the best and most exciting. I am eager to see my finished creation at the Wedding Journal live shows and hope it’s an indication of things to come.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The finalists now have six weeks to make their wedding dresses, which will be exhibited on the bridal catwalk at The Wedding Journal Show in Dublin (January 9 and 10), Cork (January 16 and 17) and Belfast (January 29 to 31).

A celebrity panel of fashion judges will chose the one winning dress and its designer will be named as Wedding Journal’s Young Designer of the Year 2016 at The Wedding Journal Show, Belfast on Saturday, January 30.

Related topics: