Nicola wins topblogger award

Talented Nicola, who is also a Drama Teacher, was announced as the winner from among 30 finalists from all across Ireland, having secured the highest number of online votes, and she was stunned at the result.

“When chatting to the other finalists in Dublin I was sure that I’d no chance of winning. I admire and follow so many of the other bloggers, and so it was a complete surprise when TV3’s Deric O h’Artagain called my name,” said Nicola, who was styled in a Vintage Sequin Jumper from Boudoir Boutique, paired with a tutu skirt from Primark, complemented by a Louis Vuitton handbag for the event.

There was a further surprise for the talented student, who was then told that she was to receive part of her prize there and then – an in-store style workshop! Nicola was given twenty minutes in the Oasis store to style for 3 occasions.

“It was literally like supermarket sweep” said Nicola, “I was dashing about the shop grabbing clothes to create 3 looks - cocktails with the girls, a casual lunch date and the perfect winter coat. It was fantastic fun!”

The development of Nicola’s blog, which has approx. 1000 hits per day, led to her applying for the Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles at North West Regional College this year.

“I started the blog in 2011 as an outlet for my obsession with fashion. It’s been amazing and I realised that I could perhaps one day realise my dream of starting my own fashion line – but I would need the practical skills to do that.

“In the few short months I’ve been here I can’t believe how much I have progressed – I couldn’t even use a sewing machine before, and last week I completed a full corset piece,” she said.

Picking up this accolade is further recognition of Nicola’s talent in identifying trends and the feedback she received from the judges included that her blog stood out as having a unique take on current looks, rather than relying on catwalk shows for inspiration. She received €300 of clothes from Oasis and will be travelling back to Dublin to style a photoshoot for RSVP Magazine as part of her prize.

There’s no doubt Nicola is a rising star in the fashion industry – equipped with her natural flair and the skills she’s gaining at the College, her own range of clothing will be eagerly anticipated in the future.