From Studio to Runway: Behind the Brand with SoRoe Design
With Ireland Fashion Week just around the corner, Junk Kouture alumna Roisin Heffernan is entering one of the busiest periods of the year for her independent fashion brand, SoRoe Design. From designing and making to fittings, packing orders, managing shipments and everything else that comes with building a fashion business, there is a lot happening behind the scenes before a collection ever reaches the runway. For Roisin, it is another milestone in a creative journey that began long before the launch of SoRoe.
From Junk Kouture to SoRoe
Roisin first became part of the Junk Kouture community as a young designer, before going on to study Fashion Design at LSAD and gain international experience in London and Barcelona. She has since furthered her studies in Creative Entrepreneurship at Trinity College Dublin and Innovative Sustainability at University College Dublin.
In 2024, she founded Dublin-based SoRoe Design, creating limited-edition pieces with an approach centred on considered production, reducing waste and designing garments with longevity in mind.
The following year saw SoRoe make its runway debut at Ireland Fashion Week, while Roisin was also recognised on the Irish Independent 30 Under 30 list.
Her Junk Kouture journey came full circle in 2026 when she returned to the competition – this time on the other side of the runway as a judge.
Full Circle Fashion: Delivered
Earlier this year, Junk Kouture and DHL Express Ireland launched Full Circle Fashion: Delivered, an initiative created to support Roisin and SoRoe as the brand continues to develop.
The collaboration builds on DHL Express Ireland's wider partnership with Junk Kouture and its support of young creative talent through the Junior Designer of the Year Award.
Through Full Circle Fashion: Delivered, DHL is providing logistics support to SoRoe across the campaign period, helping with the movement of orders, samples, materials and pieces as Roisin navigates the practical realities of running and growing an independent fashion brand.
A few months into the collaboration, we're taking a look behind the brand at what that journey actually involves.
Behind the Brand
Building a fashion label isn't only about the finished look.
Behind every piece are the sketches, sourcing, making and fittings – but also the orders, packaging, shipping, admin, deadlines and countless decisions required to move a business forward.
Our latest Full Circle Fashion: Delivered content follows Roisin behind the scenes at SoRoe, capturing some of those everyday moments and the work that happens away from the spotlight.
It's a side of the creative industry that audiences don't always get to see, but one that is fundamental to turning an idea into a working independent brand.
And right now, all of that work is building towards something big.
Next Stop: Ireland Fashion Week
With Ireland Fashion Week approaching, Roisin is preparing to bring SoRoe back to the runway following the brand's debut in 2025.
For Junk Kouture, watching that journey continue is particularly special.
From a young designer expressing her creativity through Junk Kouture, to fashion graduate, entrepreneur, brand founder and returning JK judge, Roisin's story demonstrates how a creative experience can continue to evolve long after a competition ends.
Now, with another major moment ahead for SoRoe, we'll be following the journey from studio to runway.
Watch this space.
Full Circle Fashion: Delivered
Celebrating Irish Design. Supporting Creative Futures.
