Junk Kouture Live Final Returns Along With Griffith Fashion Bursary
The Junk Kouture live final returned to Dublin this month for the first time since 2020.
Sixty haute-couture designs made from 100% recycled materials created and modelled by talented post-primary students took to the stage for the Dublin City Final at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Thursday May 5th.
Nine finalists were chosen on the night, with Griffith College's Director of Fashion Design, Jane Leavey continuing her long-standing role as technical judge on the night.
The nine designs heading for the World Final are:
- ‘Bohemian Pampas Tree’ by Clodagh Ramsey (model) and Dimo Tate of Wilson’s Hospital School, Co 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, Co 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, Co 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 over 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, Co 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.
A 10th finalist will be chosen by the public after the final airs on RTE2 on May 19th at 7pm.
Jane also judged the finals in Paris, London, Milan and New York, with the global final taking place in Abu Dhabi later this year.
Finalists are also given the chance to be awarded a bursary to study Fashion Design at Griffith College Dublin.
One lucky finalist will receive a bursary to study Griffith's award-winning BA (Hons) in Fashion Design*. The deadline to apply is this Friday, May 13th.
Last year, Grace Kenneally from Dundalk Grammar School, Co. Louth was the recipient the coveted bursary for her Songge Da Long piece.
*Terms and Conditions apply