Pupils turn waste to taste for awards

THE essence of youthful imagination in full flight was captured at yesterday’s preview of the Coca-Cola Form and Fusion Design Awards.

Seven of the 35 finalists strutted their stuff in costumes made from paper clips, beer mats, garden hose and ring pulls from drinks cans.

“Each year, the creative spirit and dedication of the students increasingly impresses us and 2005 is no exception,” said sponsors managing director Mark van Dyck.

On May 13, The Point Depot in Dublin hosts the grand finale, an event that has grown spectacularly from very modest beginnings eight years ago.

Former teacher Aidine O’Reilly came up with the brilliant concept of 14-18-year-old post-primary students designing, making and modelling visually-exciting costumes from waste materials.

During the eight years it’s been running, this cutting-edge school-based competition has exploded from just one school and 24 students taking part to today’s 350 schools and 14,646 students.

The 35 finalists will go before an eclectic panel of judges, whose names are being kept under wraps. Previous judges include Paris-based couturier Peter O’Brien, RTÉ fashion presenter Pamela Flood and comedian Tommy Tiernan.