Granda’s shirts inspire double delight for young Donegal designer

Fourteen-year-old designer Cara McLaughlin has once again put Donegal on the national fashion map after winning both the Connacht-Ulster title and the national ‘Best Casual Outfit’ award at the 2026 Relove Fashion competition - marking the Clonmany girl’s second consecutive year achieving this remarkable double victory.
Put forward by Spraoi Agus Spórt and representing Donegal, Cara’s winning outfit, titled ‘Summertime’, was inspired by the soft pastel colours of shirts donated by her grandfather.
From these sentimental starting pieces, along with old jeans, a pillowcase, unwanted zips and leftover wool she created a vibrant, fully upcycled summer look that captured the judging panel’s attention. Her design process showcased her craftsmanship and imagination. The shorts were handmade from discarded jeans and decorated with machine embroidery, appliquéd stars and detachable flowers crafted from old zips, adding a playful burst of flower power.

The top was created using a vintage sewing pattern and fashioned from two of her grandfather’s shirts, blending nostalgia with contemporary style.

Cara also crocheted a matching bag from leftover wool, lining it with one of the shirts and using the button plackets as straps. Zips sewn along the outside added a distinctive design feature that tied the ensemble together. To complete the look, she made a reversible bucket hat from the jeans’ legs and an old pillowcase, embellishing it with decorative leaf stitching and another detachable zip flower. Even the final accessory, a coordinating scrunchie, was made from leftover fabric, ensuring nothing went to waste.

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This year’s competition was the largest in its history, with almost 300 outfits submitted by young people aged 12-19 from across Ireland. The finals were held at Dublin City University on Wednesday 15 April and the judging panel included broadcaster and businesswoman Lorraine Keane; Orla Langan, a designer and lecturer at the National College of Art and Design; Sinéad Ní Mhainnín, representing the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices; and Arran Murphy, programme manager of Rediscover Fashion.
While Cara’s back-to-back national titles highlight her own sharp design talents, it proves that style doesn’t have to cost the Earth - and that young Donegal designers are ready to lead the charge for a circular fashion future.
For more information about Relove Fashion, and to register your interest for next year, visit www.relovefashion.ie.