I luv my can, the nationwide search for the most imaginative and creative use of empty drinks cans, has today unveiled the winner of the competition as Hannah Sykes, 18, from Blackpool. Hannah's entry of a couture-inspired can bustier made from recycled drinks cans beat hundreds of other entries for the coveted prize.
As the overall winner, Hannah, walks away with a £1,000 cash prize along with a years' supply of her favourite canned drink. The youngster, who is currently studying Art and Design at Blackpool & The Fylde College, has developed a penchant for making clothing out of unusual materials such as rubber gloves and shower curtains, but wowed the judges with her corset made from over 30 beer cans.
The winning corset, alongside five other canny creations including a four by eight foot Union Jack flag and a stunning framed contemporary piece consisting of 98 individually crafted can forks, will now be auctioned online to raise money for leading UK charity, the Art Fund.
To place a bid on the canny creations visit ebay.co.uk and search for i luv my can. The auction closes at 20:00 on Sunday, 23rd October 2011.
Hannah Sykes, winner of the i luv my can competition said: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be the winner! When I came across the competition I thought it could be a great way to showcase my design skills with unusual materials while also demonstrating my love of recycling. It's such a great feeling to know that my thinking outside the box has been acknowledged. The thought that my bustier will be raising money for charity is wonderful."
The young designer has aspirations to study Art and Fashion at university before hopefully going on to work in the fashion industry.
I luv my can was launched this summer by TV presenter and avid recycler, Miquita Oliver. The competition challenged lovers of iced-cold drinks to turn ordinary beverage cans into beautiful creations for a chance to win an amazing prize fund.
John Revess, from Beverage Can Makers Europe added: "This competition aimed to encourage Britons to look at the drinks can in a new light, recognising that cans are a valuable material being 100% and infinitely recyclable. We've been highly impressed by the level of creativity displayed by the entries, and are pleased to see cans used in a number of ways we would never have imagined. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome."
To view all the entries and watch all the video entries visit www.iluvmycan.co.uk.