Creativity, Floristry and Community: The IOF Floral Fashion Competition at Bord Bia Bloom 2026
One of the highlights of Bloom 2026 was undoubtedly the Institute of Flowers Floral Fashion Competition.
Over five incredible days in Phoenix Park, visitors to the Institute of Flowers stand were treated to a spectacular showcase of wearable floristry, where flowers became fashion and florists pushed the boundaries of creativity, design and technique.
The competition was designed to celebrate the skill and artistry of Irish florists while encouraging designers to explore floristry in a completely different way. From dramatic headpieces to intricate body adornments and statement floral accessories, the standard of work exceeded all expectations.
The competition attracted entries from talented florists across Ireland, each bringing their own unique style, personality and interpretation to the brief. Throughout the weekend, visitors stopped to admire the pieces, ask questions and gain a greater appreciation for the level of skill involved in creating wearable floristry.
Judged by International Floral Experts
The competition was assessed by an outstanding panel of internationally recognised floral designers and educators.
Diana Toma, Richard Haslam and Sue McCleary each reviewed the entries through their own specialist lens, recognising excellence in technique, creativity, colour, visual impact and overall design.
With such a strong field of entries, selecting winners was no easy task.
Best Use of Floristry Technique
Judged by Diana Toma
🏆 Winner: Jakki Cosgrave, Cushy Blooms
This award recognised exceptional technical skill, mechanics and execution.
Jakki’s design demonstrated an impressive understanding of construction and floral technique. The piece showcased careful attention to detail while maintaining a light and elegant appearance, highlighting the craftsmanship required to create successful wearable floristry.
Best Use of Colour and Theme
Judged by Richard Haslam
🏆 Winner: Gerda Gaudutiene, Country Fresh Flowers, Dundalk
Gerda’s design captured attention through its bold use of colour and strong visual storytelling.
The piece brought together flowers, fashion and personality in a way that was both memorable and beautifully balanced, demonstrating how colour can become a powerful design tool when used with confidence and purpose.
Best Visual Impact
Judged by Sue McCleary
🏆 Winner: Clara Agnew, Clara Agnew Floristry
This category recognised the piece that created the strongest visual impression.
Clara’s design instantly drew visitors in and encouraged them to take a closer look. Through the thoughtful use of scale, movement and composition, the piece delivered a striking visual statement while remaining beautifully wearable.
Overall Winner
🏆 Overall Winner: Carolyn Duggan The Florist on The Hill, Rathmines
After careful consideration by the judging panel, Carolyn’s design was selected as the overall winning entry.
Her stunning floral headpiece impressed the judges through its originality, technical execution, colour harmony and creative concept.
Commenting on the design, Diana Toma said:
“Technique-wise, it looks well executed and demonstrates excellent stability on the head, which is often difficult to achieve. The shape is a clever choice and the overall concept is incredibly unique. The design showcases a complex colour palette with a beautiful interplay of texture. It truly stands out in the crowd.”
Carolyn’s winning piece perfectly demonstrated the innovation, skill and creativity that the competition set out to celebrate.
More Than a Competition
While awards were presented to individual winners, one of the most inspiring aspects of the competition was the sense of community surrounding it.
Competitors supported one another throughout the weekend, sharing ideas, encouraging fellow florists and celebrating each other’s achievements. The competition became a showcase not only of individual talent but of the strength of the Irish floristry community as a whole.
For many visitors, it was their first opportunity to see wearable floristry up close. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with countless conversations taking place about the creativity, engineering and artistry involved in creating these designs.
Looking Ahead
The success of the Floral Fashion Competition at Bloom 2026 once again demonstrated the extraordinary talent that exists within Irish floristry.
The Institute of Flowers would like to thank every florist who entered, our judges Diana Toma, Richard Haslam and Sue McCleary, our volunteers, supporters and sponsors, and everyone who visited the stand throughout the festival.
Most importantly, congratulations to all of the competitors who had the courage to put their work forward and share their creativity with the public.
The future of Irish floristry is bright, innovative and full of possibility and Bord Bia Bloom 2026 proved exactly that.
