Talented Art students selected to showcase their designs at Fashion Galas

Talented Art students selected to showcase their designs at Fashion Galas Geraldine Connon, local fashion designer and past pupil of Larne Grammar School has been celebrating forty years in the industry. To commemorate this, the Mayor of Mid & East Antrim is hosting a charity fashion gala in Magheramorne Estate on 21^st March. In addition to this Larne Football Club are hosting a fashion show for the local retailers. The Council organised a fashion competition for the budding designers in the Art Departments of Larne Grammar School and Larne High School.

Local Artist Geraldine Connon visits Art Department Cara Nelson, Year 12 of Larne Grammar School, won the chance of having her design made by Geraldine and displayed, along with her GCSE dress, at the Football Club on 28^th March 2024. The other pupils' designs will be displayed on large notice boards at the event. Geraldine was so impressed with talent of the young art students that she is incorporating some elements of their designs into her Gala Fashion Show. Grace Kelly-Cole, Oliver Rush, Daisy Kellet, Libby Woods, Corey McConnell, Mya McCullough, David Smith, Sarah McMullan, Bethany Shepherd will all see aspects of their designs brought to life for accessories or hair and make-up. Livia Whelan, Year 12 will also attend the event with Geraldine commending, ‘her attention to detail and interest in fashion.’

To top this, Geraldine has decided that she will make a further five more designs into a ready to wear garment, modelled alongside her collection. Samuel Graham and Libby Kelly (Year 14), Holly Adrain and Nadine Martin (Year 13) and Truly Mills (Year 12) were all selected for this. These will be auctioned off at the Gala on 21^st March 2024 in aid of the Mayor's charities, Women's Aid and The Dementia Choir. Emily Watson, a second runner up, was chosen to model Cara's winning outfit at the Gala.

Geraldine Connon inspires young artists Mrs Agass, Head of Art & Design at Larne Grammar School, and Mrs Millar, Teacher of Art and Design, thanked Geraldine for all her work throughout the project stating that, ‘Geraldine has done so much to promote the Arts within schools and has been a real champion of the young students.’