Bláthnaid Gunawardana and Helena Freiin von Tiesenhausen

St Mary’s College Arklow

Wicklow County Council

Our young designers were inspired by designs by Schiaparelli, where jewellery was incorporated into the design of the garments. 

The group found a white bed sheet at a charity shop with subtle floral details and decided to use it to make their outfit.

The girls made a paper pattern, using a sewing machine to put the pieces together. The boning in the corset was made by repurposing wrap ties, usually used for tying together farming equipment, and the corset opens/closes at the back with eyelets and ribbon. 

The skirt, made from the same bed sheet and dyed blue, has been given more shape with gathering and ruching in the front. 

The group estimated they spent over 20 hours creating and sewing the flower and bead embellishments to their outfit. 

The flowers have been made from scrap fabrics and the beads came from deconstructed jewellery found at a charity shop.