A trio of talented students from Co. Limerick have been named the Junk Kouture World Designers of the Year at a glittering ceremony in the Helix, Dublin. Lauren O’Neill, Alexandra Giltenane and Sarah Kinnane, from Salesian Secondary College in Pallaskenry, beat out competition from 60 design teams across the globe to take the top spot. Their winning creation, titled ‘Carousel Couture’, impressed a panel of international judges with its intricate construction and poignant message on circular fashion. The design, which also secured the ‘Dublin Designer of the Year’ title, was inspired by the whimsy of a funfair.
The students utilised a creative mix of discarded materials, including hi-vis vests, bin bags, pipes, cardboard and old toy animals. The central merry-go-round silhouette was designed specifically to represent the circularity required to make the fashion industry sustainable.
Lauren, Alexandra and Sarah’s creation stood out in a field that included high-concept designs from Paris, Milan and New York. Judges praised the Salesian students for their innovation and alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
For Lauren, Alexandra, and Sarah, the win marks the pinnacle of a journey that turned everyday roadside rubbish and household waste into world-class art, proving that the future of fashion might just be found in the recycling bin.
Selected from the 2024-2025 cycle of Junk Kouture, the designs were evaluated by a prestigious judging panel of experts in sustainability, fashion, education and entertain-ment, such as Cory Infinite, a creative director and multi-disciplinary artist known for championing individuality and self-expression through fashion; Claire Garvey, leading Irish designer whose work bridges fashion, culture and media; and Zeda, Dublin-based visual artist, stylist and creative director. Fionnuala Moran of RTÉ 2FM was on presenting duties.