EAO Hub
Welcome to the EAO hub!
Here, you'll have access to all the essential information, timelines, sample emails and socials posts, and downloadable resources for you to share with your network.
Keep an eye on the hub, as throughout the year we’ll add new graphics and resources, ensuring you're always in the loop, and have engaging and informative content to share with your network.
Our timeline is your guide, neatly divided into two distinct phases: the action-packed "pre-submission" period and the exciting "post-submission" period. During the pre-submission phase, especially before November, we're counting on your active engagement and sharing prowess to help us spread the word, reaching every student and educator in your locality.
Explore below!
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May 2024:
Competition OpensSeptember 2024:
Official National Launch30th September:
Sewing Machine Giveaway Deadline17th January:
Submission Deadline -
17th January:
Submission Deadline24th Feb – 7th March:
Virtual Interviews:14th March:
2 Finalists per LA announced14th – 30th April:
Finalist’ Exhibition30th April:
Grand Final
preliminary Timeline
assets for dowNload
Social Media Graphics (Square)
Posters (A4)
Relove Fashion - Stay in the Loop
Scroll for Sample Communications
Sample
Communications
These sample communications have been compiled to make sharing information about the competition as easy as possible. You can use these as a basis for your own email/social media posts, or simply copy and paste them as is.
Important: Please note that in the below samples we have included XXX as a placeholder for your county/city council. Please replace XXX with your county council before posting.
Tags: Tag Relove Fashion and Rediscovery Centre (correct handles are in the below text) and use #ReloveFashion for all social media posts
Contact: If you don’t have details already, you can find your local Scouting Group here, YouthReach here, and local Irish Girl Guides troop here.
Press Releases
8 May 2025
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Media Release
Ireland’s Young Sustainable Designers Rewrite Fashion’s Future at First Ever National Relove Fashion Awards
Dublin, Ireland - 8th May 2025
Ireland’s next generation of fashion design talent proved that the future is sustainable at the first-ever national Relove Fashion Grand Final.
The event, held at the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy on April 30th, saw awards being handed to 24 winners who dazzled the judges and audience alike. Each award winner took home an upcycled trophy, an expert-led sustainable fashion workshop, and the overall winners from each region took home €500 for fashion related tools and equipment for their schools.
As a counter-movement to challenge fast fashion, the competition encourages teenage designers from across the country to showcase innovative, upcycled outfits made entirely from preloved textiles - transforming everything from old cushion covers to moth-eaten berets into stylish, wearable fashion.
This year marked the competition’s expansion to 26 local authority areas, where over 400 young people aged 12–19 across Ireland were encouraged to rethink fast fashion and embrace creativity, building skills in reuse, repair, and redesign.
A total of 43 outfits reached the final, celebrating circular design, hands-on climate action, and the vibrant future of Irish fashion. Winning outfits included evening dresses elegantly upcycled from jeans, preloved shirts beautifully transformed into casual dresses, and a post-apocalyptic outfit crafted from old belts and roadside-found gloves.
The winners, listed below, were announced at the Grand Final, which was attended by over 150 people, MC performer Paul Ryder and supported by the Department of Environment, National Waste Regions and the judging panel.
The panel of judges included Laura de Barra, author of No.1 bestsellers Garment Goddess, Gaff Goddess and Decor Galore; Lorraine Keane, IFTA-nominated broadcaster , journalist, businesswoman and philanthropist; Joanne Rourke, representing Dublin City Council and the National Waste Regions; and Arran Murphy, Programme Manager of Rediscover Fashion.
Eastern-Midlands Waste Region:
Best Casual: Veronika Zbigley, Bush Post Primary School, Louth County Council
Best Evening: Edena Foot, Loreto Secondary Bray, Wicklow County Council
Best Tailoring: Vivienne Cleary, Our Lady’s Bower, Westmeath County Council
Best Research: Minaal Ashraf, Pearl Arzaga, Annamaria Radu, Elena Lawrence, Abigail Nelmida & Salma Nofal, Mercy Beaumont, Dublin City Council
Most Innovative: Sophie Clarke & Mia Farquharson, Loreto St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin City Council
Overall Winner: Elizabeth Cooper, Colaiste Clavin, Meath County Council
Connaught-Ulster Waste Region:
Best Casual: Cara McLaughlin, Spraoi Agus Sport, Donegal County Council
Best Evening: Elżbieta Klonowska, St Louis Community School, Mayo County Council
Best Tailoring: Orla Jackson, Scoil Mhuire Strokestown, Roscommon County Council
Best Research: Evelina Zilakauska, Adam Hawrylo & Ola Mamala, Gort Community School, Galway County Council
Most Innovative: Oliver Lawson-Smith, Foroige - Alternatives Programme, Monaghan County Council
Overall Winner: Davin Coyle, Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Donegal County Council
Southern Waste Region:
Best Casual: Katherine Blake, Bruac Eile, Good Shepherd Services, Cork City Council
Best Evening: Evelyn Flynn, Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny, Kilkenny County Council
Best Tailoring: Kayla Connellan & Megan Harding, Coláiste Muire Ennis, Clare County Council
Best Research: Cara Moore, Teresa Neta & Emma Kiely, Coláiste na Toirbhirte, Cork County Council
Most Innovative: Megan Byrne & Eimear O'Gorman, Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed Thurles, Tipperary County Council
Overall Winner: Brigh Harkin, Presentation Castleisland, Kerry
Overall Nationwide Winners:
Best Casual: Cara McLaughlin, Spraoi Agus Sport, Donegal County Council
Best Evening: Edena Foot, Loreto Secondary Bray, Wicklow County Council
Best Tailoring: Orla Jackson, Scoil Mhuire Strokestown, Roscommon County Council
Best Research: Cara Moore, Teresa Neta & Emma Kiely, Coláiste na Toirbhirte, Cork County Council
Most Innovative: Oliver Lawson-Smith, Foroige - Alternatives Programme, Monaghan County Council
Overall Winner: Brigh Harkin, Presentation Castleisland, Kerry
Arran Murphy, Head Judge of Relove Fashion and Programme Manager of Rediscover Fashion said “It has been incredible to see so many teenagers taking part in the competition this year. The dedication and creativity in each and every entry was astounding.
One of the best things about the competition is its ripple effects which reach beyond the participants, to friends, schools, and families - inspiring change, and promoting repair and reuse skills, which are so important for our circular future. We are unbelievably proud of how far this competition has come, and are delighted to be able to now offer it to teenagers across Ireland.”
Laura de Barra, judge of Relove Fashion author of No.1 bestsellers Garment Goddess, Gaff Goddess and Decor Galore, “It was stunning to see such innovative uses for items that usually cannot be used in circular fashion due to their composition or condition after use - such as tights, bedding, mixed synthetics and so on. The techniques used to elevate the designs were also extremely impressive, from crochet to detailed hand embroidery to patchwork. Undeniable talent in this room!”
Joanne Rourke, Relove Fashion judge representing Dublin City Council and the National Waste Regions, “I loved the story that the outfits told, and the strong message that they conveyed about the need for less consumption and more circular fashion. The Waste Regions are so proud to have been part of this competition since the beginning, we look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength. The practical design skills and problem solving capacity that students develop when working on their Relove Fashion projects are the sorts of skills needed to move towards a circular economy.
The Relove Fashion Competition proves that style doesn’t have to cost the earth - and that Ireland’s young people are ready to lead the charge for a circular fashion future!
About Relove Fashion
This trailblazing competition was developed in response to the devastating environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, the need for change, and the recognition of young people’s pivotal role in shaping innovative solutions. By providing students with the opportunity to learn about where their clothes are from, and showcase their creativity while promoting sustainable fashion practices, the competition encourages a shift towards a more circular and sustainable society.
The competition is textile based and skills based, aiming to bridge the repair skills gap evident in younger generations.
The competition is funded through a partnership between the National Waste Regions, participating local authorities, and the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy.
For more information about Relove Fashion, and to register your interest for next year, please visit www.relovefashion.ie.
About the Rediscovery Centre
The Rediscovery Centre is the National Centre for the Circular Economy in Ireland. A creative movement connecting people, ideas and resources to support greener low-carbon living.
Based in Europe’s first circular economy demonstration centre, Rediscovery Centre acts as an innovation hub, delivering education, providing research and enabling policy, citizen engagement and collaboration to support community action. Recognising that a just transition requires a social movement, we use our skills and expertise to ensure that all people benefit from, and can participate in, the circular economy.
Our work is supported by key strategic partners and includes a range of education and research programmes, workshops and training courses across broad disciplines, including STEM, reuse, repair, resource efficiency and sustainability.
For more information about the Rediscovery Centre, please visit www.rediscoverycentre.ie
Contact:
Lizzy Gageby Bell
Communications & Marketing Lead, Rediscovery Centre
communications@rediscoverycentre.ie
01 893 3801
3 September 2024
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Media Release
3rd September 2024
Immediate Release
Lorraine Keane launches Relove Fashion Competition nationwide
Open to young people of secondary school age across Ireland
The Relove Fashion Competition has announced that registrations are now open to young people from participating Local Authorities in the Republic of Ireland. This unique competition offers teenagers the chance to showcase their creativity and passion for sustainable fashion by designing and creating their own sustainable outfits.
Participants in the Relove Fashion Competition will get the opportunity to delve into the world of sustainable fashion, learning essential skills such as repurposing, upcycling, altering and repair. The competition challenges entrants to use their creative design skills to create a sustainable, wearable outfit from preloved clothing and textiles. The textiles can be unwanted items in their own wardrobe, donations from friends or family, items sourced at swap events or from charity shops.
Previous winning designs have been beautifully crafted from bed linen, curtains, cushions, shirts, ties, and even Santa Hats.
Speaking at the launch of the Relove Fashion Competition 2024, Lorraine Keane, Fashion Relief founder, entrepreneur and media presenter said “I am thrilled to launch this exciting new step for the Relove Fashion Competition. I have been involved as a judge since the beginning and it is wonderful to see it grow from a regional competition to a national competition. This means that secondary school aged students throughout the Republic of Ireland can enter the competition. I am really looking forward to seeing the creativity and ingenuity of this year’s students.”
Joanne Rourke, Resource Efficiency Officer, Eastern-Midlands Regional Waste Management Plan Office said “The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices are incredibly proud of our association with the Relove Fashion Competition. The innovation, dedication, consideration and talent that the students display each year is a credit to the students, the Rediscovery Centre team, the local authority Environmental Awareness Officers and the many teachers who work all year to make the Relove Fashion Competition such a resounding success.”
Arran Murphy, Programme Manager of Rediscover Fashion at Rediscovery Centre “The Relove Fashion Competition is a great project for young people to be involved in. The competition encourages young people to explore sustainable fashion practices by upcycling, redesigning, and repurposing old garments. By extending this opportunity nationwide, Relove Fashion aims to inspire a new generation of designers who are passionate about creativity, the circular economy, and ethical fashion.”
The competition is open to young people in participating Local Authorities across the Republic of Ireland. The Relove Fashion Competition is kindly supported by the Government of Ireland, The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, Rediscovery Centre and participating local authorities.
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More information:
Gráinne Lambert grainne@rediscoverycentre.ie and 086 3739720 www.relovefashion.ie
Images Repo Free:
1. Lorraine Keane (Fashion Relief founder, entrepreneur and media presenter), Judge Relove Fashion Competition
2. Lorraine Keane (Fashion Relief founder, entrepreneur and media presenter), Joanne Rourke (Joanne Rourke, Resource Efficiency Officer, Eastern-Midlands Regional Waste Management Plan Office) & Arran Murphy (Programme Manager of Rediscover Fashion at Rediscovery Centre) judges of Relove Fashion
Eastern Midlands: Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Louth, Longford, Meath, Offaly, South Dublin County Council, Westmeath, Wicklow
Connacht Ulster: Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon
Southern: Clare, Cork City, Cork County Council, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, TipperaryAbout the Relove Fashion Competition:
Relove Fashion is a Sustainable Fashion competition open to young people of secondary school age across the Republic of Ireland. The competition was developed and is funded through a partnership between the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, The Government of Ireland and the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy.
This competition was developed in response to the devastating environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, the need for change, and the recognition of young people’s pivotal role in shaping innovative solutions.
To enter the competition, young people are challenged to explore their creative design skills to create a sustainable and re-wearable outfit using clothing from the treasure troves of charity shops, swap shops, or reused items already available at home. Applicant’s final submissions should include a finished outfit, before and after photos, a storyboard outlining the journey and the design process involved in the creation from start to finish, and a video of the outfit.
About the Rediscovery Centre:
The Rediscovery Centre is the national centre for the circular economy, supporting the transition to a circular economy and advocating for a more resilient, equitable society in the face of climate breakdown. The Rediscovery Centre is recognised as a creative movement connecting people, ideas and resources to enable circularity and mobilise the skills and expertise of artists, scientists, designers and craftsmen united in this common purpose. Sustainability is at the core of the Rediscovery Centre, which aims to break away from the traditional practice of wasting natural resources and instead demonstrate the opportunities of the circular economy. For more information on our work, please see www.rediscoverycentre.ie.