Laois school through to Junk Kouture national final with stunning creation
Heywood CS in Ballinakill shines with 'Planting Potential' costume
A Laois school has made it through to the Junk Kouture National Final, following the Regional Finals in the Helix recently.
Heywood Community School in Ballinakill saw two of their costumes earn a place in the Regional Finals, with their costume 'Planting Potential' earning a spot in the National Finals this coming May.
Pictured: 'Planting Potential' by Heywood CS students Aaliyah Troy, Jessica Lawlor and Ashling Gonzalez.
The students transformed garden waste into a striking couture-inspired design, combining creativity with an important environmental message.
Inspired by the Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection the dress was made using recycled plastic flowerpots, inspired by a team member whose family flower shop was closing and had materials that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Throughout the project, students at the Ballinakill school earned to melt, cut, weave, sew and reshape plastic, turning rigid materials into a bold fashion statement.
Pictured: 'Planting Potential' at the Helix Centre in Dublin for the regional finals
Research by the team found that around 500 million plastic plant pots and seed trays are sold annually across Ireland and the UK, with most ending up in landfill or incinerated.
The school also praised students Lacey Dalton, Fatima Shah and Veronika Stoyko for their design of Fit 2 Function. Despite not earning a place in the national final, the costume will still compete in the Relove competition.
"Both teams represented Heywood with great creativity and pride. We are extremely proud of you all," the school said.
In 2025, Heywood CS students qualified for the Junk Kouture World Final for their dress 'Saline Queen'.
To see the Junk Kouture entries from Laois schools this year, click HERE.