Laois school through to Junk Kouture World Final

A Laois school has secured their place in the 2025 Junk Kouture World Final, beating over 60 schools in the Regional Final.

Heywood Community School have secured their place in the top ten with their costume ‘Saline Queen’, designed by students Aine Carter, Kaylah O'Mara and Elaine Miller.

In the World Final, the Heywood students will represent Ireland and compete alongside students from the UK, USA, France, Italy, and the UAE.

This dress is inspired by the endless battle against plastic waste and pollution. The students chose this design to highlight the impact of plastic waste in both the sea and land. 

Pictured: The 10 Irish Finalists who have qualified for the 2025 Junk Kouture World Final

The name Saline, which is a salt and water solution, came from the use of salt bags coupled with the mermaid dress design. 

With over 1,200 entries within the Regional Final, four other Laois schools had qualified for the Regional Final alongside Heywood: Mountrath Community School, Mountmellick Community School, Scoil Chríost Rí Portlaoise and Coláiste Íosagáin Portarlington.

Read Next: See the Laois schools that qualified for Junk Kouture National Final

After a show-stopping evening of creativity, sustainability, and performance, ten outstanding young design teams were crowned Junk Kouture World Finalists at the 2025 Dublin City Final, held at The Helix on Wednesday, May 7.

The energy was electric inside The Helix as 60 design teams from schools across the country brought the runway to life with innovative and thought-provoking creations. Each outfit, crafted entirely from upcycled and recycled materials, showcased the power of youth creativity as a force for environmental and social change.

Pictured: 'Saline Queen' designed by Heywood Community School students Áine Carter, Kaylah O'Mara and Elaine Miller.

The audience saw everything from old tents and discarded footballs to high-vis jackets, plastic medical forceps, and scrap metal transformed into extraordinary haute couture.

More than just fashion, these designs were inspired by powerful global issues, with students drawing attention to issues such as biodiversity protection, mental health and wellbeing, and responsible consumption and production, all tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Junk Kouture continues to provide a platform for youth to creatively amplify their voices and become changemakers in their communities.

The designs were evaluated by a prestigious judging panel of experts in sustainability and fashion including Claire Garvey, renowned Irish couture designer, Mariusz Malon, fashion designer and Junk Kouture alumnus and Zeda the Architect aka Oyindamola Animashaun a visual artist, stylist, journalist and producer.

In case you missed the sold-out show, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player will air the Dublin City Final on Monday, May 19 at 7pm, capturing all the action, glamour, and heart of the show.

Viewers can also hear from Clodagh Ramsey, the reigning Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year, on RTÉjr’s climate and nature podcast, Ecolution, as she reflects on her journey and offers insights into the impact of creative sustainability. The special episode will be available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms on May 14.

Keep an eye on the Leinster Express / Laois Live for more updates on the Junk Kouture World Final!

See more pictures: Heywood students shine bright in school musical