Education can be fun, especially when it comes in the form of fashion. The girls on the Leaving Cert Vocational Programme students at Scoil Chriost Ri Presentation Secondary School in Portlaoise needed to form a mini-company as an exercise, so they decided it would put on a fashion show.

The result was an event which showed creativity, flair and style. It also gave the girls the experience of running a business, of working together as a team and the chance to be a model for a night.

The creations on show ranged from the traditional to the highly innovative.

The show was distinctly eco-friendly. Recycled materials were used to make some of the designs. These included bubble wrap, cling film and silage packaging, which was used to make a unique wedding dress.

The show gave each of the 58 students a substantial role to play. Committees were set up to look after various aspects of the show - advertising, set design, sponsorship etc.

The fashion show followed the millennium theme and industrial designer James Corrigan was brought in to help give a futuristic look to the production. To complete the space-age look, the set design was made from scrap metal.

Sculptures were made into human forms and placed around the stage. Lighting was provided by Euro Lighting, which put on a spectacular show including explosions and dry ice.

Clothes were donated by local boutiques, among them A J Flynns, Richies and Clothesline. Sportswear from Colgans was modelled by the school basketball team, which is going to Israel in May for the world championships.

Compere Siobhan Corcoran kept the whole show running smoothly. Prizes were given out throughout the night - these were donated by local businesses and included television sets and holidays.

The night, which raised £1,800 for the school, was such a success that about 40 people had to be turned away on the night.

The company was overseen by managing director Denise Kavanagh, who won a national award for her work.

Apart from the girls from Scoil Chriost Ri, seven boys from the Christian Brothers shool volunteered their services.

This show will gave the girls a chance to run their own business , working together as a team and it also gave them a chance to live out their dream, being a model for a night.