Tullamore girl crowned Irish Young Designer of the Year

An eight-year-old Tullamore girl recently won the Irish Young Designer of the Year Award in the beginners category at the Project Fashion Irish Young Designer Awards held in Croke Park.

Lillian Cully, who attends Project Fashion classes at Tullamore Family Resource Centre with tutors Áine Claffey and Julie Be’nard, impressed the judges with her self-designed “Neon Jungle”-themed dress, standing out among more than 400 young designers from across Ireland.

She not only crafted and sewed the dress herself but also modelled it on stage in front of a panel of judges.

Her tutor, Áine Claffey, praised Lillian’s creativity and dedication.

“Lillian is just so talented. She comes to class every week bursting with enthusiasm. She is full of ideas, works independently, and brings them to life. It comes so naturally to her,” Áine said.

Inspired by Katy Perry’s music video for Roar, Lillian described her dress as a “Cheetah Queen” design.

“I really wanted to create a ‘Cheetah Queen’ dress. I was thinking of Katy Perry in the video for ‘Roar’ and she is the queen of the tigers, but my favourite wild animal is a cheetah” Lillian said.

“I used the yellow and red cheetah fabric along with an old belt and Snow White costume I had. I created the yellow underskirt, so that it can be worn separately. I sewed on the pink belt to look like pink leaves and pink roses around the waist as well.”

Reflecting on her win, she said: “I felt shocked and amazed. It felt crazy because it was my first fashion show ever.”

The judging panel included Irish fashion designer Helen Steele, SioPáella CEO Ella de Guzman, and fashion journalist Ruth O’Connor, who specialises in emerging talent. The event was hosted by broadcaster Lorraine Keane and supported Barnardos Ireland.

Following her success, Lillian’s winning design will be displayed at Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords and Dundrum Town Centre, and it can also be viewed online at projectfashion.ie.

Already looking ahead, Lillian is planning her next project: designing and making her own Communion dress for May.