Oran O'Reilly

Designer

Whenever I can I use second-hand materials or deadstock fabrics. I go to charity shops and vintage shops. Or I use any kind of textiles that are in testing. I’ve always said that I try not to buy fabrics, because then I’m not ruining the planet any more for these little garments. Plus, I always get overwhelmed in fabric shops!

When it comes to my own wardrobe, buying second-hand clothes is my main thing. Going into a regular high street shop, I’m so uninspired because it’s all just laid out in front of you and done by trends. If you buy second-hand, it’s like opening a treasure chest – you don’t know what you’re going to find. So it’s more exciting to me to go to a charity shop. I could find something really cute, something that’s not going to be everywhere.

All fashion TikToks during COVID seemed to be Shein Hauls. But now a lot of it’s, “come thrifting with me.” There’s a lot more focus on styling rather than ‘look at what I bought’. People are buying second-hand bits and styling outfits – and that’s the trend, rather than buying a new wardrobe to make the outfit.

There’s more emphasis on sustainability generally in fashion now. Before, I felt there was a certain look to sustainable fashion, but – checking out different runway shows over the past few years – a lot of the time they are using sustainable practices. The great thing is that you wouldn’t necessarily know that from looking at it.

Find O’Reilly’s designs at Om Diva Boutique, 27 Drury St

It’s time to Reverse the Trend. Recent research from the Environmental Protection Agency has revealed we should be doing more to make sustainable decisions when it comes to fashion.

With the ongoing climate crisis, it’s never been more important for us to think about our purchasing habits more consciously. It’s time to buy less, choose well, and look after our clothes - to get the most out of them.

Thinking sustainably presents us with the opportunity to be more inventive, more thoughtful, and more ethical in what we wear. Borrowing clothes from friends, going to swap shops, buying from charity shops, and renting clothes are just some of the innumerable ways in which we can rewrite the narrative when it comes to being on trend and looking fashionable, while also having fun and being creative!

We spoke to influencers, local musicians, designers and artists about sustainability - and what it means to them. Read the full feature in the Hot Press Annual 2025