Aspiring young designers from Limerick School of Art and Design, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, will display their work at the college's annual fashion show next week.
Twelve students, including recent Persil Award winner, Abu Sufyan, will showcase their designs at the Southcourt Hotel, Limerick, on June 4th.
A native of Pakistan, Sufyan recently received €10,000 and appeared on the Late Late Show after winning first place in the Persil Fashion Awards.
The 26-year-old hopes to start up his own label when he graduates later this year.
Leonardo da Vinci and Marilyn Monroe provided inspiration for some of the students' designs. Ruth Somers's "Dirty Sweet", a pink-and-black ensemble complete with sprayed-on dirt, was inspired by Monroe - and rugby.
"I wanted to use something very masculine and really feminine at the same time to see how they would work together, basing it on the whole idea of opposites attracting," explained the 21-year-old.
Patricia Heery (24), from Dublin, was inspired by da Vinci's sketches of early flying machines for her design, "Soaring Aspirations".
Made from turquoise Italian silk, the halterneck, figure-hugging dress is held together with brown elastic and copper rings.
"It's a mixture of luxury and functionality," she explained.
More than 800 people are expected at the show.
For tickets (€20, €15 for students), call (061) 208870.