From Junk Kouture to Miss Ireland: Emily O'Shea Represents Laois on the National Stage
Junk Kouture alumna Emily O'Shea is preparing to represent her home county of Laois at the Miss Ireland 2026 Grand Final this November. With four years of Junk Kouture experience and a passion for fashion, sustainability and community engagement, Emily is continuing to embrace new opportunities and make her voice heard.
From creating sustainable fashion designs through Junk Kouture to preparing for the Miss Ireland stage, Emily O'Shea is continuing to follow her passion for creativity, fashion and making a difference.
The 19-year-old from Crettyard, County Laois, has been selected to represent her county as Miss Laois at the Miss Ireland 2026 Grand Final, taking place on Saturday, 21 November, at The Fairways Hotel in Dundalk.
For Emily, it's another exciting opportunity in a journey that has already seen her explore fashion, design and sustainability through Junk Kouture.
A proud Junk Kouture alumna of four years, Emily has created and designed four outfits during her time with the programme. Along the way, she has had opportunities to work alongside organisations including the Breast Cancer Research Institute, EUROSPAR and DHL, combining her love of fashion with her interest in raising awareness of important causes.
Her passion for creativity extends beyond fashion design. Emily is also actively involved in her local community, having performed in local pantomime productions over the past number of years. Outside of her creative interests, she professionally rides and trains horses, reflecting her lifelong love of animals.
Throughout her experiences, Emily has embraced opportunities to meet new people, attend events and use her voice to raise awareness of sustainability and other causes close to her heart.
Her journey also carries a deeply personal motivation. Having lost her mother over a year ago, Emily has spoken about the importance of continuing to make her proud and carrying her memory with her as she pursues new opportunities.
Now, as she prepares for the Miss Ireland Grand Final, Emily will join young women from across Ireland in a competition celebrating confidence, ambition, individuality and achievement.
For the Junk Kouture community, it's wonderful to see an alumna continuing to explore her interests, build on her experiences and step confidently into new opportunities.
From designing with repurposed materials to representing Laois on a national stage, Emily's journey is another reminder that creativity can open doors well beyond the classroom.
We wish Emily the very best of luck as she prepares for the Miss Ireland 2026 Grand Final!
Based on reporting by the Laois Nationalist, 28 October 2026.
