A Donegal fashion student has proven that her creativity is anything but ‘plane’ after being highly commended in the prestigious Professional Clothing Awards.

Marguerite Cowburn from Bruckless redesigned the Aer Lingus cabin crew uniform to fly into the Top 10 in Europe.

Marguerite Cowburn at the Professional Clothing Awards 2019

The 10th annual PCA awards took place on the 19th of June in London. Marguerite’s design was modelled in front of 300 guests in the grand surroundings of the Montcalm Marble Arch Hotel in London. The event was hosted by Strictly Come Dancing Star Anton Du Beke.

Marguerite’s vision for a vintage-look uniform is a wonderful blend of heritage, sustainability and practicality. She used Magee of Donegal Tweed, linens and velvet for the three piece look.

Marguerite Cowburn’s AER Lingus design at the Professional Clothing Awards 2019

Marguerite’s fashion career began with Donegal Design in Dublin and she recently decided to return to the craft and is now going into her final year of a BA in Fashion with Promotion at LYIT. Lecturer Sharon Maxwell proudly joined Marguerite at the PCAs last month, which celebrated style, function and innovation.

Pictured bottom left; Marguerite Cowburn and Sharon Maxwell at the PCIAW Awards 2019

Marguerite Cowburn’s AER Lingus design at the Professional Clothing Awards 2019

Practicality and tradition were a main focus of Marguerite’s as she dreamt up the design.

She explains: “I went with a sleeveless tunic with green salt and pepper Magee Tweed. I went very much for sustainability and our landscape. When you are flying into Donegal Airport at Carrickfinn, those colours were a big influence.”

Marguerite swapped the Aer Lingus skirt for green linen trousers, with slits up the front for an elegant feel and a little velvet piping up the seams.

The linen top is an off-white shade for a vintage look, with a faint shamrock print down the sleeve to tie in the Aer Lingus logo. A velvet cap brings the retro look together in an edgy way.

Marguerite’s design was one of 10 Highly Commended pieces on the night.

After a hectic year, she said she is enjoying her summer break before returning to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in September.

Bravo Marguerite!