LATEST: Two groups in Tipperary secure 'golden ticket' for entry into competition finals

There was double the excitement for Tipperary in this year’s fashion design competition Junk Kouture, as not only did three local groups initially qualify for the finals, but two additional entries have now secured coveted golden ticket spots.

Tipperary students were celebrating recently after the initial three designs from schools in Tipperary secured places in the national finals of this year’s Junk Kouture competition, showcasing their creativity and sustainability skills.

From Borrisokane Community College, students Ella Ryan and Julie Ryan impressed the judges with their design titled “Danger on the Dairy.”

READ NEXT: ‘We will be getting our answer today’ - sister on condition of 'critical' Scarlett Faulkner

The piece focuses on farm safety, using materials such as scrap bale wrap, meal bags, wire, wool, and straw.
Bold shapes and striking prints were incorporated to capture attention and highlight the serious risks present in everyday dairy life.

Meanwhile, Cashel Community School also saw a team advance with the design “MajestiqueNatura.” Created by Nicole Stan, Magda Stankiewicz, and Emily Bowes, the costume celebrates the beauty of nature while emphasizing the importance of preserving it for future generations.

The team used entirely repurposed materials, including old parchment paper, net curtains from Nicole’s great-grandmother’s home, discarded bags, wire, and flowers sourced from a florist. Inspired by the works of Claude Monet, they transformed everyday items into a striking, impressionist-inspired dress that blends creativity with sustainability.

READ NEXT: LATEST: Uisce Éireann issues major update regarding burst watermain in Tipperary

Joseph Monaghan from Newport College was another designer chosen to attend the national finals of Junk Kouture. Joseph also had the honour of being named as a budding designer of the future by the judges on the night.

With his outfit titled ‘Ransacked’, Joseph brought the coffee shop to the runway. Using old coffee bags, chicken wire and recycled fabrics, Joseph stormed the stage and now looks forward to the next round of the competition which could see him or the other groups travelling to the international stage for the world finals of Junk Kouture.

The designs were evaluated by a distinguished panel of three judges. Claire Garvey is an award-winning Irish sustainable fashion designer and long-standing champion of emerging creative talent.

Zeda, is a Dublin-based visual artist, stylist, and creative director, known for bold storytelling and fearless creative expression.

Róisín Heffernan who hails from Tipperary is the founder of Dublin-based fashion brand So Roe.

However, there was even more excitement last week with the announcement that two more Tipperary designs have been awarded golden tickets, bringing the county’s total representation in the competition finals even higher.

Borrisokane Community College secured one of the golden ticket entries with their striking design From Bottles to Blossoms, meaning two entries from the school have made it to the competition finals.

Created by Ciara Maher and Louise Killeen, the piece celebrates the transformative power of sport and its ability to empower lives.

The dress is an ambitious and intricate creation, crafted from more than 800 Lucozade bottles. Each bottle was carefully cut, melted, sprayed, drilled and pinned to bring the design to life.

Adding to its visual impact, the floral headpiece draws inspiration from Frida Kahlo, whose work was shaped by resilience and perseverance, which are themes echoed throughout the design.

The second golden ticket for Tipperary went to St Anne’s Secondary School Tipperary for the design Zip It. Designed, created and modelled by Aoife Butler, the piece is made entirely from plastic zip folders, showcasing both sustainability and creativity.

The innovative use of everyday materials highlights the ingenuity of students and their ability to reimagine waste into high-fashion concepts.

In total, just nine golden tickets were awarded in the competition, making the achievement by the Tipperary students all the more significant.

The five design groups will now prepare for the Dublin City Final, the national stage of the competition, scheduled for May 2026, where they will showcase their unique designs alongside other finalists from across Ireland.