10 world finalists crowned at Junk Kouture Dublin City Final
Junk Kouture - an eco-conscious fashion competition aimed at secondary school students - returned to Dublin's Helix theatre last night for the Dublin City Final.
Following two successful Regional Finals in March, 60 talented design teams from across the country battled it out for a place in the Junk Kouture World Final 2025.
Each design featured in the show aligned with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging students to use fashion as a vehicle for change and to address environmental and social issues through creativity.
The designs were evaluated by a prestigious judging panel of experts in sustainability and fashion, including Claire Garvey, renowned Irish couture designer; Mariusz Malon, fashion designer and Junk Kouture alumnus; and Zeda the Architect, aka Oyindamola Animashaun, a visual artist, stylist, journalist and producer.
The 10 Junk Kouture World Finalists who will represent Ireland at the 2025 World Final are:
1. La La Lu Veil by Emilija Milasiute from St Joseph's Secondary School, Co Westmeath created from plastic milk bottles and plastic packaging straps.
2. Blazing Muse by Isabel Ryder, Niamh Donohoe and Lilly Mangan from Presentation Secondary School, Co Wexford created from tarpaulin curtain trailer.
3. Venom and Vines by Marija Cernikova, Molly Markey and Anika Beu from Inver College, Co Monaghan created from crisp pockets.
4. Blueprint by Erin Roche, Muireann Lowry and Hannah Higgins from Moate Community School, Co Westmeath created from single use medical jackets.
5. Golden Globe by Beth Brady from St Joseph's Secondary School, Navan, Co Meath created from over 1,000 Plastic Surgical Forceps.
6. Carousel Couture by Lauren O'Neill, Alexandra Giltenane and Sarah Kinnnane from Salesian Secondary College, Co Limerick, created from high-vis vests, big bags and pipes.
7. Saline Queen by Aine Carter, Elaine Miller and Kaylah O'Mara from Heywood Community School, Co Laois, created from salt and metal bags.
8. PaperDoll by Isabella McMullin, Darcy Perrot and Louis Bacaeir from Gaelcholáiste Charraig Uí Leighin, Co Cork, created from paper waste.
9. Gear Glamour by Ellen Chapman, Anna Murphy and Kayla Butler from Ramsgrange Community School, Co Wexford, created from wheel spokes and tyre tubes.
10. Miss Mares by Lucia Revuelta from Elphin Community College, Co Roscommon, created from aluminium cans, sardine tins and foil.
RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player will air the Dublin City Final on Monday, 19 May at 7pm.
Fashion fans can also hear from Clodagh Ramsey, the reigning Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year, on RTÉjr's climate and nature podcast, Ecolution on 14 May.
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Irish Independent
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- Irish Independent
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Ellen Chapman, Anna Murphy and Kayla Butler creatively designed and hand-crafted their Gear Glamour dress, which was made solely from the parts of two bikes and a bike cover. Not leaving any part unaccounted for, the ambitious designers formed their skirt from bike tyres, the wires were included in the underskirt and the train that trailed the dress was crafted by weaving together the recycled bike cover. The inner rubber tubing of the tyres were plaited and stitched together to form the corset, and a headpiece was created by using the remainder of the tyres as well as spokes, chains and brake cable. The outfit was completed by removing the heels of a second-hand pair of heeled sandals, which were then cleverly replaced by old gear cogs stacked upon each other. 'When we formed our group and began our project, we realised that we all have a different set of skills and focusing on our strengths as a team is what helped us complete our design,' explained Kayla. Kayla also outlined that the inspiration from the design came from their rural community, as their school is located in south county Wexford, and students are heavily reliant on cars and busses to get to school. Inspiring others to reduce their carbon footprint where possible is what led the girls to focus their project around cycling and bikes. When the team reached the national finals, Ellen, who modelled the design for Gear Glamour, described the announcement of the result while she was on stage as 'the most amazing feeling ever'. 'The adrenaline was rushing through me and it's all a bit of a blur because it happened so quickly, but it was really amazing to be up there on stage in front of the crowd,' she added. In addition to being proud of their work and making it to the world stage, Ellen described Junk Kouture as a great initiative to be involved with as 'it has opened so many doors already.' Gear Glamour is one of the top 10 teams in the country that has progressed to the international stage, flying the flag high for Ramsgrange in the World finals which see groups from Abu Dhabi, London, Milan, New York and Paris all compete to be crowned the coveted overall Junk Kouture champion. Anna explained that the Gear Glamour girls are hoping the upcoming announcement for the world event, which is due to be held in 2026, will take them overseas. 'This year's world competition was held in Dublin, and if they decide to host it in a country abroad next year, our accommodation and our flights will be included, which is nice, but that the question we're being asked from all angles – 'where are worlds on?' and we're really looking forward to finding out and taking a trip together, with our designated Educator, Sharon McGee,' said Anna. As the trio will be moving from TY to fifth year in September, Kayla's advice to anyone who may be apprehensive about the programme and getting involved in the programme is to 'honestly, dive in." "Take advantage of every single opportunity. There's so much to do in TY, and if you don't take advantage of those opportunities, then you get nothing out of it. Junk Kouture is just one of the many, many things that we have done and TY has been an amazing experience, it's been unbelievable and I'd recommend it to everybody,' she concluded.
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