Media Release: Grand Final of Relove Fashion 2025/26
Celebrating the Future of Sustainable Fashion at the Relove Fashion Awards
Young people from all over Ireland gathered at Dublin City University (DCU) on the 15th of April for the largest Relove Fashion Final in the competition’s history, celebrating creativity, innovation and sustainability in fashion.
The finalists aged 12-19 reimagined old clothes and other household fabrics, creating outfits from unwanted, and in many cases unexpected fabrics, including old umbrellas, pillowcases and shower curtains. All of the submitted outfits were required to be both washable and wearable, demonstrating not only creativity but also practicality and durability.
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!
58 finalists from 29 local authority areas were chosen to reach the final and there were 24 award winners. The winners, chosen by a panel of judges and listed below, were announced at the Grand Final, MC’d by performer Paul Ryder.
Arran Murphy, Head Judge of Relove Fashion and Programme Manager of Rediscover Fashion said: “It’s always amazing to see the creativity, innovation and skills in the outfits, and to hear about the young people’s journeys in their creation, learning about the impacts of the fashion industry, and the positive changes that can be made by everyone. In particular it’s wonderful to hear about how much they enjoyed the creative process, which is so key to our circular future.”
Sinéad Ní Mhainnín, Relove Fashion judge representing the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, “The Waste Regions are very proud to support this competition, it’s inspiring to see what young people have created with textiles from their homes, charity shops and friends. It truly shows that you can give your clothes and textiles a second life.”
The panel of judges included Lorraine Keane, IFTA-nominated broadcaster, journalist, businesswoman and philanthropist; Orla Langan, designer and NCAD lecturer; Sinéad Ní Mhainnín, representing the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, and Arran Murphy, Programme Manager of Rediscover Fashion.
The Winners:
Connaught-Ulster Waste Region:
Best Casual: Cara McLaughlin, Spraoi agus Sport, Donegal County Council (Outfit Name: Summertime)
Best Evening: Aodhín Kavanagh, Galway County Council (Outfit Name: Fódhla)
Best Tailoring: Alice Edge & Lilleah Stuart, Gort Community School, Galway County Council (Outfit Name: Back for the Future)
Most Innovative: Grace Burke, Freya Heffernan, Evlyn Norris, Elphin Community College, Roscommon County Council (Outfit Name: Heartstrings)
Best Research: Kara Shannon, Jessica Glennon, Saoirse McNeill, Katie Cleary, Mercy College, Roscommon County Council (Outfit Name: Tie it Together)
Overall: Elżbieta Klonowska, St Louis Community School, Mayo County Council (Outfit Name: Rock Them, Madonna!)
Southern Waste Region:
Best Casual: Tara Guni, Tipperary County Council (Outfit Name: Organised Chaos)
Best Evening: Alisha Kent, Sarah Morrissey, Grace Fallon, St. Mary's Secondary School, Wexford County Council (Outfit Name: Tides in Bloom)
Best Tailoring: Amina Bloss, Cork County Council (Outfit Name: Geometry Fash)
Most Innovative: Eva Nagle, Doireann Craig, Roisin O'Donoghue, Colaiste na Toirbhirte, Cork County Council (Outfit Name: Spotted In Style)
Best Research: Brigh Harkin, Kerry County Council (Outfit Name: Fite Fuaite)
Overall: Ronan Cossee, Ben Blackburn, Kaspars Kaminskis, Tullow Community School, Carlow County Council (Outfit Name: SL0P)
Eastern-Midlands Waste Region:
Best Casual: Maja Grabczak, Robyn Duffy, Ola Habeeb, Kate Zurawska, Tallaght Community School, South Dublin County Council (Outfit Name: Repatched)
Best Evening: Elodie Wallace, Dublin City Council (Outfit Name: Seaweed and Linen)
Best Tailoring: Riya Sanu, Naas Community College, Kildare County Council (Outfit Name: Bloomed Again)
Most Innovative: Aoibhin Kocikowska, Wicklow County Council (Outfit Name: Reverse Converse)
Best Research: Amber Dolan, Lucy Donnelly, Athlone Community College, Westmeath County Council (Outfit Name: All Tied Up)
Overall: Siobhán McCoy, Olly Hayes, Dublin City Council (Outfit Name: Final Fight)
National Winners:
Best Casual: Cara McLaughlin, Spraoi agus Sport, Donegal (Outfit Name: Summertime)
Best Evening: Alisha Kent, Sarah Morrissey, Grace Fallon, St. Mary's Secondary School, Wexford County Council (Outfit Name: Tides in Bloom)
Best Tailoring: Alice Edge & Lilleah Stuart, Gort Community School, Galway County Council (Outfit Name: Back for the Future)
Most Innovative: Aoibhin Kocikowska, Wicklow County Council (Outfit Name: Reverse Converse)
Best Research: Brigh Harkin, Kerry County Council (Outfit Name: Fite Fuaite)
Overall: Elżbieta Klonowska, St Louis Community School, Mayo County Council (Outfit Name: Rock Them, Madonna!)
