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- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow student's evening dress made from old jeans wins national award
Host of other Wicklow students and schools also rewarded for sustainability efforts and projects
Wicklow People
Today at 10:00
When you're in a charity shop and see a nice pair of second-hand jeans, they don't immediately scream 'evening dress'. But for one talented Wicklow student that level of imagination has led to a national award.
Loreto Bray Secondary School, along with other Wicklow secondary schools, participated in 'ReLove Fashion', which is a sustainable fashion competition open to young people of secondary school age in Ireland.
This year, Edena Foot, a third-year student, won the national award for 'best evening dress'. With a growing focus on sustainable, slow fashion, Edena created a stunning evening dress from old denim jeans found in a local charity shop. The dress features hand embroidery and was inspired by aquatic life and the pollution caused by fast fashion.
She received her award as primary and secondary schools accepted their well-deserved Green Flags at The Helix in Dublin, in recognition of the excellent work undertaken by students as part of the Green Schools program delivered by An Taisce.
Along the same theme as Edena's dress, the 'Rubbish Film Festival' is a creative transition year program that provides a platform for students to explore and research sustainable development goal number 12, 'responsible consumption'.
The short, one-minute films created by student teams were full of well-researched topics, focusing on themes such as fast fashion, habitat destruction, water conservation, and even AI. Coláiste Craobh Abhann took the county's best prize back to Kilcoole, while Coláiste Raithin won county first prize for the best impact film, which was presented in Gaeilge. Additionally, St David's in Greystones was awarded second place for the best film award.
Another winner was Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir in Arklow, awarded a regional prize for their efforts focused on the water theme.
Additionally, Scoil Mhuire Réalt na Mara in Brittas Bay received a regional award for their outstanding work on the 'global citizenship marine environment' theme and also secured a national award under the Marine Institute's explorer's education programme. Scoil Mhuire Réalt na Mara is one of only 32 European schools selected for the recently launched EU Blue Lights program.
