Laois school reaches Junk Kouture national final
Heywood CS students Aaliyah Troy, Jessica Lawlor and Ashling Gonzalez have reached the Junk Kouture national final, with their creation titled Planting Potential
A DAZZLING design created by three Laois teenagers has reached the national final of the Junk Kouture competition.
The stunning Heywood CS entry titled 'Planting Potential', made from discarded plastic flowerpots, wowed judges at the regional finals held in The Helix this month.
Transition year students Aaliyah Troy, Jessica Lawlor and Ashling Gonzalez, whose design highlighted single-use plastic in the gardening industry, were thrilled to get a green light at the regional stage of the sustainable fashion competition.
The trio will go forward to the national final of the internationally renowned contest in May.
The dress was inspired by the Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection and was made using plastic pots from a family flower shop that was closing, providing materials that would otherwise have gone to waste.
The budding designers learned to melt, cut, weave, sew and reshape plastic, turning rigid materials into a bold fashion statement that combined creativity with a strong environmental message.
Meanwhile, their Heywood CS classmates Fatima Shah, Veronika Stoyko and Lacey Dalton also reached the regional final with Fit2Function, a beautiful ensemble made of recycled fabrics and repurposed materials.
While the design did not go through to the national final, Fit2Function is still a contender in the 2026 Relove Fashion competition.
Congratulating the talented students, the school said: ‘Both teams represented Heywood with great creativity and pride. We are extremely proud of you all.’
Heywood CS was joined at the regional finals by three other Laois schools, whose fabulous designs used unlikely materials ranging from tents abandoned at Electric Picnic to repurposed fuel bags.
Scoil Chríost Rí students Mollie, Jessica and Abbey created their sustainable design ‘An Address Made of Fabric’ using tents left behind at the 2026 festival in Stradbally.
Two entries from Mountrath CS also qualified for the regional finals, with Mary Kate Milne and Sinéad Fitzpatrick presenting ‘When The World Runs Black’, a dress created from repurposed fuel bags.
Their schoolmates Avril Phelan, Katie Wallace and Cara Phelan showcased ‘Dairy Blossom’, made from leftover wire, milk filters and milk cartons.
Coláiste Íosagáin, Portarlington trio Lucia Mannion, Mia Mannion and Holly Kiernan created ‘Gemini’, inspired by their experience as Irish dancers and football players. The intricate design featured a wide range of materials that included an old play tunnel, CDs, floor underlay, chicken wire and medals, the latter symbolising the perseverance and commitment behind every sporting achievement.
A global sustainable fashion competition for those aged 12 to 19, Junk Kouture challenges students to create a high-end wearable outfit from 100 per cent recycled materials and everyday waste.
