Nine Junk Kouture winners chosen for world final — and one wildcard slot still to strut for

2022-05-28 07:02:35 By : Ms. Valley Yin

The nine Junk Kouture world finalists, at the Junk Kouture Dublin City Final at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. They will represent Ireland at the Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Crowns, feathers, spikes and ruffles — and all with an eco-conscious twist. Not the Met Gala but the live final of Junk Kouture. Sixty haute couture designs made from recycled materials were created and modelled by post-primary students keen for their chance to attend the World Final in Abu Dhabi later this year. 

Nine winners have now been selected by judges Louis Walsh, Roz Purcell, Soulé and Stephen McLaughlin to represent Ireland.

Bohemian Pampas Tree by Clodagh Ramsey (model) and Dimo Tate of Wilson’s Hospital School, County Westmeath. This living dress requires daily water, air and light and is made from pampas grass, moss and black grass.

Tale of Two Pods by Kate Molloy (model), Eimear Keenan and Samantha Irwin of Moate Community School, County Westmeath, made from 3,000 coffee pods, a broken umbrella, old heels and an old Debs dress.

Back to the Future by Joshua Osabuehien and Solomon Eduard (model) of Cnoc Mhuire, County Longford, a futuristic coat of armour against climate change made from an old laundry basket, car wipers, and an old shower mat.

Acantha by Genevieve Keane of Ursuline Secondary School, Tipperary inspired by the story of St Patrick and made from potato sacks, curtains, wool and old carpet.

Ode to Joy by Maha Shahzadi (model), Jadine Keane-Fitzpatrick and Somaia Anwari of Coláiste Nano Nagle, Limerick, inspired by the European Green Deal and made from tinfoil, bedsheets and old rope.

Black Swan by Sky Synnott of Mount Sackville Secondary, Dublin inspired by the story of the Ugly Duckling and made from old raincoats, pillows, duvet covers and hangers.

Minima by Alison Dalton, Emma Touhy and Orlaith McNamara of Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise, Co Laois, made out of more than 100,000 tiny Styrofoam beads found in an old beanbag chair and inspired by designer Zac Posen.

On Pointe by Orlagh White and Emma Connolly of Borrisokane Community College, County Tipperary promotes the revival of old Irish craftsmanship, using weaving, knotting and threading techniques and is made from bulrushes and feathers.

Queen of Cutlery by Hannah Potts and Louise McChesneys of Monaghan Collegiate, Co Monaghan, made with metal forks, knives and spoons.

And there is still a wildcard spot still up for grabs.

The tenth design to represent Ireland at the World Final will then be announced live on RTÉ 2FM's Tracy Clifford Show in June.

The final 10 Irish designs will be up against 50 other designs — 10 from each of Junk Kouture’s other city finals in their five new territories: London, Paris, Milan, New York and Abu Dhabi. At the World Final, there will be six individual City Designer Awards for each location plus the first-ever Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year. Other prizes up for grabs include the Glamour Award, Wearable Art Award, Innovation Award and a Performance Award.

Read MoreDefinitely more flash than trash as Cork schools make it to the Junk Kouture final

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the irishexaminer.com, direct to your inbox every Friday.

Writing on issues that matter to you

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

© Irish Examiner Ltd, Linn Dubh, Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork. Registered in Ireland: 523712.