Brígh Harkin, a student at Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland, has been crowned the national winner at the first-ever Relove Fashion Grand Final, held at the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy.
The competition, which encourages young people to embrace sustainable fashion, saw over 400 students aged 12–19 from 26 local authority areas take part. Brígh’s creative and eco-conscious design stood out among 43 finalist outfits, each celebrating circular design and hands-on climate action. From upcycled eveningwear to garments made from salvaged items, the finalists showcased a new wave of Irish fashion talent focused on reuse, repair, and redesign.
Winners were awarded an upcycled trophy, a sustainable fashion workshop, and €500 worth of fashion-related tools and equipment for their schools. The event highlighted the creativity and climate awareness of Ireland’s next generation of designers.
Arran Murphy, Head Judge and Programme Manager at Rediscover Fashion, praised the entrants for their dedication and innovation, saying the competition’s ripple effects are already inspiring wider communities to embrace sustainable practices.
Locally, Breda Moriarty, Environmental Awareness Officer with Kerry County Council, said: “We’re thrilled to have supported this brilliant initiative. Congratulations to all who took part—and especially to Brígh for her outstanding achievement.”
Brígh’s success puts Castleisland on the map as a centre for youthful creativity and sustainable innovation in fashion.
