They were creative, directional and exciting and, for three of the 12 finalists, there were prizes. Ashling McLoughlin, from the National College of Art and Design, won £3,000 and Laura Cassidy, from the same college, and Jane Kellegher from Limerick College of Art and Design, each won £500.
They were recipients of the Hudson Blue Club Look awards. They know about clubbing and, appropriately, the awards were presented at The Red Box in Temple Bar, Dublin, with lighting by The Light Surgeons and music by Influx.
There were the usual requirements about being original while creating something suitable for this sub-culture. The panel of judges, chaired by Irish designer Daryl Kerrigan, who has her own Daryl K store in New York's East Village, chose, Cardiac by Ashling McLoughlin. It met the obvious criteria and was also wearable: a very short dress with embroidered thin red veins and a padded heart-shaped organza jacket. All the winners kept the lines simple, but used unusual fabrics from frayed silk to fine hemp.
The other panel members were designer Marc O`Neill, John Reynolds of The Pod, fashion photographer Barry McCall and stylist Paula Hughes. This is a popular competition with students, with 50 entering this time, perhaps because the club theme is particularly dear to their hearts.