Her work has a dreamlike quality.

And now the dream continues for Cork City-based designer Ríon Hannora with the news that she is one of five emerging Irish makers to win at the annual RDS Craft Awards.

A graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design, Ríon will receive a €10,000 cash prize to support the development of her craft, together with a free stand at the annual GIFTED Design Fair, which runs at the RDS each December.

The winners will also benefit from six hours of targeted mentoring with a craft and design professional.

Combining traditional methods of textile work with modern innovations, Ríon explores sustainable alternatives to fashion design by incorporating fabrics and materials that have already served their purpose.

Inspired by the fashion of the Baroque era, her work brings it back to life by using more contemporary fabrics, which she then spray-paints.

Speaking about the win, Ríon said she plans to use the prize money to further her career in fashion:

“I will deepen my engagement with sustainability in the world of fashion through the use of classes run by the likes of Carol Feller, international travel costs, accommodation, and research around sustainability and durability within various fabrics,” she added.

See more of Ríon’s work at rionhannora.com.