Hi Ho Silver

Newbridge Silverware are synonymous with high quality, stylish giftware, life style ranges and above all jewellery. Long associated with such prestigious events as Miss Ireland and the Rose of Tralee, they have now joined forces with the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) to sponsor the Student Silverware Design Awards, which took place at a champagne luncheon on Monday.

There was a buzz of excitement in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, as the five finalists awaited the results and the invited guests inspected their amazing designs, which were modeled by top models Andrea Roche and Sarah McGovern. MC for the afternoon (and judge) was TV star Pamela Flood, who interviewed each finalist (all of whom were girls) and found out more about their inspirations and aspirations.

The competition was open to NCAD Metals area 2nd/3rd year student who were given the brief to create a design for the Newbridge Silverware 2007 jewellery range using the theme of SHAPE. The competition offered talented students a unique opportunity to gain insight knowledge of how Ireland’s leading design company manages and operates design, product analysis and goes about market research.

Following an initial six week design development phase, 5 finalists were selected to have their designs developed for industrial production as part of a short industrial work placement at Newbridge.

Joining Pamela on the judging panel were Newbridge Silverware CEO William Doyle, fashion designer Aideen Bodkin, fashion journalists Deidre McQuillan of The Irish Times and Sive O'Brien of Image Magazine, all of whom had a most difficult task in selecting the winner.

In the end though it was Sadhbh McCormack from Rathmines, Dublin, with her collection "Silver Leaf ", who scooped the top prize. As well as receiving the prestige that comes with winning the award, she will have her winning design purchased by Newbridge Silverware to be manufactured and marketed in 2007. Sadhbh’s winning design will also be donated to the National Museum of Ireland to become part of the NCAD permanent precious metal collection.

“I am thrilled, I never expected it but I have thoroughly enjoyed this project and this is just the icing on the cake" she said.

Adorned by the rich, famous and fabulous, Newbridge Silverware is a mark of good taste and with this unique partnership between education and industry, to foster excellence in design, we can be sure that that good taste will continue for many years to come. Silver linings all the way…..