Thigh's the limit for student Ali as stars snap up her shorts
Clodagh Lennon, Clare Murray, Thea Shannon, Jenny Mooney, Jess Redden, Emily Daly and Jessi Mackey pictured all wearing Shorts made by Ali Delaney (centre) of Custom Vintage Dublin, during the IADT Fashion show in Dun Laoghaire. Photo by Kyran O'Brien
FROM fashion student to global online retailer - meet the Dubliner who has turned a college project into a viable designer line that is being snapped up by TV stars.
Ali Delaney (22) saw a gap in the market for stylish shorts that were unique and designed to suit and flatter the wearer.
So the entrepreneur, from Dalkey, began buying genuine, vintage denim and turning it into customised vintage shorts.
Each pair is ripped, frayed, studded and/or dyed as required.
Her designs have already been worn by reality TV stars Louise Thompson from Made In Chelsea, Kelly Donegan, of Tallafornia, and Charlotte Letitia Crosby, of Geordie Shore fame.
The shorts, worn with plain vest tops, were showcased as part of a fashion show at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) last night, where Ali is studying Costume and Design.
And the range is about to expand.
"Ali has been doing this since last year and she is already expanding," said enterprise and business student Eimear McCrann (20) who, along with her fellow students, organised the event.
"Her line is now developing into crop tops and jackets."
Ali said she is expecting more orders from Ireland and abroad in the coming months as the festival season kicks off.
"They are definitely the fashion staple of this season," she said.
clairemurphy@herald.ie