Mayo student secures a win at national fashion awards

A student from St Louis Community School in Kiltimagh has earned national recognition in the world of sustainable fashion.

Young people from across Ireland gathered at Dublin City University (DCU) on April 15 for the Relove Fashion Final, the largest event in the competition’s history. This year saw almost 300 upcycled outfits submitted nationwide, with 58 finalists representing 29 local authority areas. From these, 24 award winners were selected.

Elżbieta Klonowska secured the overall prize for both the Connacht-Ulster region and at national level with her striking upcycled design.

Her outfit drew inspiration from the style of Monster High’s Operetta doll, reimagined as a rockabilly dress featuring a rose-layered underskirt and a dramatic, high-impact silhouette.

Elżbieta’s creative process involved sourcing materials from local charity shops, her own wardrobe, and the online resale platform Vinted.

Commenting on her winning design, one of the judges said: “This outfit really stood out for the level of craftsmanship and thoughtful repurposing in every element. From the bra cups, cleverly reworked and covered in shirt fabric, to the layered frills of the underskirt and the hundreds of handmade tulle roses, the piece demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and dramatic design.”

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Elżbieta’s success builds on last year’s achievement, when she won Best Evening Wear in the Connacht-Ulster category, highlighting her impressive development over the past year.

The judging panel included Lorraine Keane, IFTA-nominated broadcaster, journalist, businesswoman and philanthropist; Orla Langan, designer and NCAD lecturer; Sinéad Ní Mhainnín of the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices; and Arran Murphy, Programme Manager of Rediscover Fashion.

Arran Murphy, Head Judge of Relove 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.”

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