A Kildare fashion student who used kitchen mops, scouring pads and dish cloths - everything bar the kitchen sink - won the top prize at an international fashion contest in memory of a former Labour TD.
Limerick School of Art and Design student Niamh Ryder won the Jim Kemmy Young Designer of the Year Award at a gala event staged in Limerick this week.
Fashion colleges from Italy, Poland, Denmark and the UK took part in the contest, which was judged by a panel of leading style experts, including international Irish designer Richard Lewis.
Ten colleges from across Ireland also competed for the top prize of €4,000, which was awarded to Ms Ryder from Celbridge, Co Kildare.
The 21-year-old dazzled judges with her innovative design which was made entirely from kitchen mops, scouring pads, dish cloths and curtain voile.
The second-year fashion student spent almost a month working on her award-winning creation.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to have won. I feel completely exhausted but I'm over the moon."
Danish design student Louise Klausen, from the Designskolen Kolding, Denmark, was awarded the runner-up prize for her eye-catching ensemble, which was inspired by ethnic tribes. And the environmental prize for the most ecologically-friendly creation also went to Denmark. Benthe Boesen received €1,250 from the environmental department of Limerick City Council for her creation, which was made entirely from toilet paper.
Organised in memory of the late Labour TD Jim Kemmy, the Young Designer of the Year Awards has grown into an international event over the past few years.
Speaking at the awards night, Limerick's Mayor Mr John Cronin said Jim Kemmy would have been very proud to be associated with such an event.