Stream the Junk Kouture Dublin City Final 2024 live on RTÉ Player from 6.30pm on Tuesday, October 1.
It was two nights of style and sustainability as the Junk Kouture Regional Finals 2024, which took place in the Helix in early March.
160 designs battled it out to become one of 60 designs to make it to the Dublin City Final 2024. Scroll below to see each of the incredible looks.
Junk Kouture judges included couture designer Claire Garvey, Miss Universe Ireland 2023 Aishah Akorede, and former Junk Kouture winner Maxim O’Sullivan.
The trio had their work cut out for them as they picked 30 designs from each of the two regional finals to make up 60 Dublin City Finalists. Designs were selected from the regions of North, South, South-East, East and West.
Without further ado, the 12 Dublin City Finalists from the East Region are:
Bingo Babe by Dearbhla Healy and Leah Malon, Scoil Mhuire, Clane Community School, Clane, Co. Kildare – made from hundreds of bingo books.
Icarus by Éabha Kennedy, Marha Lorente and Amelie Somers, St. Louis High School, Rathmines, Dublin – this eco-conscious creation conveys a message about global warming, mirroring Icarus’ ill-fated flight towards the sun.
Marine Mourning by Isabelle Kelly and Sara Staraityte, Scoil Mhuire, Trim, Co. Meath – inspired by an 18th century mourning dress, the designers believe we should be mourning as an estimated 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone.
Iri-de-scent by Laoise O’Connor, Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan, Co. Dublin – made with sweet wrappers and coffee sachets the design highlights the contrasts of privilege and poverty.
Batik Chic by Blue Sherlock, Michaela Nugent and Leah Holland, Youthreach Navan, Navan, Co. Meath – an upcycled jumpsuit adorned with batik fabric created by the late Youthreach coordinator Sharon Maher, who passed away last October. She made the batik designs with past students, so this creation is in memory of her legacy.
Lir’s Child by Caitlin Clarke and Amy Rose Lynam, Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. The designers drew inspiration from Irish landscapes and folklore, specifically the Children of Lir. Denim sourced from a charity shop merges with manipulated milk cartons to form feathered textures while dried materials evoke the lake shores in the story.
Inferno Attire by Siobhán McGrane, Bibi Lynch and Nel Czubak, Swords Community College, Swords, Co. Dublin – inspired by the Chinese Year of the Dragon, symbolising women’s power, influence in fashion and sustainability, made with tealights and hay netting.
Unchained by Zihan He, Anna Brereton and Phoebe MacDonald, Loreto College, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 – with nods to the fashion of Marie Antoinette, this design is made from recycled rope, rice sacks and curtains.
Trains for Dayz by Lauren Hogan and Evan Jones, Piper’s Hill College, Naas, Co. Kildare – a patchwork suit made with discarded train tickets.
The Morrigan by Ash Murtagh, St. Ciaran’s Community School, Kells, Co. Meath – made from organic materials from animal carcasses.
Yours Sincerely by Quynh Anh Nguyen and Sophie Isha Trebacz, Donahies Community School, Dublin 13 – this design represents the journey of self-acceptance and resilience while challenging gender stereotypes.
Rings of Rainbow by Chloe Brown, Eabha Ní Dhomhnaille and Beibhinn Byrne, St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School, Navan, Co. Meath – made from onion bags, washing machine pipe rings, colorful electrical wire, medical tubing, old Christmas lights, and trampoline decorations.
West Region:
Shear Power by Caoimhe Reilly, Abbey Community College, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Symbolises a deeper relationship and power between ourselves and the tranquility of the world around us.
Soother or Later by Kayla Masterson, Clodagh Reilly and Katie Moynagh, Cnoc Mhuire Granard, Granard, Co.Longford – made with hundreds of baby’s dodies/soothers and represents the fact that future generations from the moment they are born have every right to a home, safety, peace, justice and freedom.
An Tarbh Dubh by Rachel Murphy, Amy Seery and Danielle O’Neill, Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan Co. Westmeath – illustrates that the agriculture industry must reduce its greenhouse gases for the benefit of future generations.
Aquacultural by Clodagh Ramsey, Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath – aims to highlight the battle our world faces to feed more than 9 billion people and finding sustainable alternatives to how we farm and source our food. Materials include 2000 mussel shells, a ship, feathers, and old decorations.
Don’t Bale On Me by Alannah Peyton, Mary Dunne & Karen Greene of Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore, Co. Offaly – made from green strapping that holds together the bales of briquettes, silage wrap and ribbons.
Go with the Float by Cindy Zhang, Gemma Mannion and Lucy Sheffield, Our Lady’s Bower Secondary School, Athlone, Co. Westmeath – the team volunteered to help children with disabilities during swimming activities. They have repurposed inflatables that were no longer of use.
Earthly Elegance by Amanda Beca, Rianna Prendergast and Gabriele Bacyte, Youthreach Kiltimagh, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo – made from a combination of wood shavings, food colouring and CDs. The dress is inspired by the intricate patterns found in nature, mimicking the branches of the trees.
Alpacalypse by Emma Kinahan, Lucy Champ and Emma Keane, Moate Community School, Moate, Co. Westmeath – represents the importance of having community around us and shopping sustainably, using sustainably sourced alpaca wool from a team member’s farm.
La Mer Bougie by Charlotte Monaghan, Ciara McDonagh and Jade O’Malley, Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo – thousands of donated blue tea lights and silver wick centerings to symbolise the importance of illumination in our lives.
Grief by Soumia Bouroubi and Ruby Kenny, Moate Community School, Moate, Co. Westmeath – expresses the aftermath of carnage on our roads. This is represented by the ripped seatbelts and soft white netting, which showcase the dark times after innocent lives are lost.
Magenta Monarchy by Myah Gallagher and Aoife Canavan, High Cross College, Tuam, Co. Galway – electronic reels dance as a skirt, while a repurposed light fixture transforms into a regal headpiece in this design.
Múirín Gréine by Leah Murray and Sienna Hessman, Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin, Co. Galway – a tribute to the vibrant, traditional clothing donned by the women of Inis Mean for centuries, made from colourful plastic lunch bags.
South Region:
Race to the Finish by Anna O’Callaghan, Sophie Quirke and Julia McHugh, Ursuline Secondary School Thurles, Co. Tipperary – inspired by jockey Rachel Blackmore, the designers used her racing colours and used recycled bailing twine, feed bags and rosettes gathered from various horse yards for the design.
Following Threads by Maria Ryan, Síofra Campbell and Brooke Slattery, Crescent College Comprehensive SJ, Limerick – an intricate and colourful design of woven threads.
Resplendent by Willow Gleeson, Kelly Morgan and Hannah Farrel, Borrisokane Community College, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary – inspired by the endangered bird, the Resplendent Quetzal from South America. The designers chose to emphasise the beauty of this bird to highlight the effects of deforestation globally by repurposing over 10kg of waste plastic.
Vision Zero by Christina Whelan, Tara Johnson and Caitlin Cussen, Ursuline Secondary School Thurles, Co.Tipperary – inspired by the RSA’s campaign to eliminate road deaths by 2050, this unique design is crafted from manipulated car seatbelts and Hi-Vis jackets.
My Birthday Suit by Ella Curran, Kate Mcarthy and Ruth Moriarty, Presentation Secondary School Thurles, Co. Tipperary – made from waste accumulated from a lifetime of celebrations, from birthdays to retirements, including helium balloons, weights, banners, streamers, sashes, a tablecloth and candles.
Queen of the Kings by John Coughlan and Lucy Murphy, Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai, Bantry, Co.Cork – made from silage and fertiliser bags. The shattered mirror and bloody heart represent all of the lives lost in war.
Fatal Fashion by Diarmuid mc donagh, Jamie Moriarty and Nathan Horan, Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai, Tralee, Co. Kerry – the post-apocalyptic, punk vibe of this design is a symbol of the need to act now before its too late to save the planet. The designers used old leather bags, cans and plastic.
If Snow White Was African by Talia Mapholisa, Flourish Olushola and Shauna Brosnan, Coláiste Nano Nagle, Limerick City – embodies a profound message of global solidarity through a seamless integration of Western Disney princess aesthetics with traditional African stitching and motifs, exemplifying the rich tapestry of interculturalism and diversity.
See Me by Isabel Slattery, St. Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary – made with the message of staying true to yourself, hi-vis jackets have been quilted and crocheted together to make people, stop, think and… SEE ME!
I’m Your Venus by Coláiste Nano Nagle, Limerick Ireland – embodies the essence of the Goddess of Love and Beauty emerging from the sea onto land. It symbolises the journey of personal growth and renewal, particularly with the designer’s own experiences transitioning from Ukraine to Ireland.
Fire and Ice by Ali Cotter, Rachel Brown and Holly Jacobs, Bandon Grammar School, Bandon, Co. Cork – made with a lampshade, lighting gel filters and melted fibre optics, the outfit is a ‘911 call’ for Mother Nature.
Dairy Girls by Niamh Rice and Holly O’Brien, Mercy Secondary School Tralee, Co. Kerry – made from over 200 milk carton labels, promoting the consumption of dairy products for bone health among adolescent girls to prevent Osteoporosis.
South East Region:
Achera Lilth-Heim by Mateo Martinez, Carmen Solar and Lucia Lope, Kilkenny City Vocational School, Kilkenny City – symbolises Spanish, German and Canarian cultures.
Trashionista by Eva Nolan Whitney, Ellie Kate Larkin and Noah Mangan, Meanscoil Gharman, Enniscorthy, Wexford – made from single use plastic food and drink packaging, the designers wanted to display damage caused by over consumption of plastic in our homes.
Freezin’Friesian by Isabel McDonald and Sasha O’Keeffe, Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Co. Laois – made from farm waste materials.
BrokenHearts by Katie Cloke, Enniscorthy Community College, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford – made to raise awareness for SADS, the angelic design is made with underlay, plastic, wire and card.
Fast and Fiery by Maria Coone and Aoife Walsh, Loreto Wexford Secondary School, Co Wexford – the duo behind this design have come from an athletics background. They had a mission to create a design inspired by single-use race materials and the burning ambition for women to compete in their sport at the Olympics.
Triskele Warrioress by Brooke O’Shea, Sophie Rothwell and Jorja Hennell, Gorey Community School, Gorey, Co. Wexford – designers have upcycled leather from an old couch as well as discarded fabrics, electrical cable and feathers.
Natural Allure by Stephanie O’Connor and Sienna Howe, Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy Co Wexford – a biodegradable fabric made from the bark of the Ugandan Mutuba tree was used to make a ruffled cape and dress, accessorised with African designs made from 1000s of hand quilled paper beads and bark cloth cutoffs.
Nighttime Flowers by Maya Jasmine Rahn and Katie Farrell, Creagh College, Gorey, Co Wexford – inspired by Andy Warhol, addresses the damage done to the planet from plastic and metals.
Dressed Emma by Eve Kinsella, Ava Duffy and Émer Doyle, Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford – made by seed bags that had been in use on the family farm for three generations, so the designers used these one last time for a Met Gala inspired design.
Stacks Of Attax by Katie Hore, Ella Hurley and Orla Goldsmith, Presentation Secondary School Wexford, Co. Wexford – handsewn thousands of children’s game cards.
Stainless Style by James McCann, St. Gerard’s School, Bray, Co. Wicklow – a suit of armour fashioned out of old metal road signs and old metal bottle caps to protect yourself against the harsh realities of the world.
Divine Menstruation by Jona Raj and Romane Rousselo, Tullow Community School, Tullow, Co.Carlow – addresses the taboo around menstruation in India, made from old footwear, discarded clothes and menstrual packaging.
North Region:
Hope is the Thing With Feathers by Aoife Reilly, Ebony Clarke and Conor O’Brien, Bailieborough Community School, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan – made from feathers and test tubes.
Mother Demented by Kate Hannan & Caiomhe Hughes, Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo – made from netting and coal bags, the design represents humankind’s reckless abuse of Mother Nature.
Pretty in Pink by Kerri McNutt, Ruby Grier and Caoimhe Gallagher, Loreto Community School, Milford, Co. Donegal – inspired by the Barbie film, design uses pink bale wrap.
AL Belle by Naofa Mc Padden, Maebh Harte & Amy Sheridan Coola Post Primary School, Riverstown, Co. Sligo – made of aluminium circles to represent its complete recyclability.
Innocence by Yena Bae and Olivia McChesney Monaghan Collegiate School, Corlatt, Co. Monaghan – inspired by Lolita fashion that originated in Japan.
Kendallture by Megan Ward, Chloe Sherry and Aoibhin Carolan, St. Louis Secondary School, Carrickmacross, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan – inspired by Kendall Jenner’s 2019 Met Gala gown by Versace.
Rockin’ Around by Ellimay Sharkey, Madeleine Cristal and Rebecca O’Hagan, St Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk, Co. Louth – constructed using recycled Christmas trees and ornaments, the aim of this dress was to show the beauty of Christmas, while highlighting the need to re-use these decorations wisely.
Shadows & Dreams by Ruby Gallagher, Ellen Corley and Gráinne McElroy, St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan Town, Co. Monaghan – this design displays the shadow climate change casts on the earth and the dream of saving the planet. Inspired by 19th Century Fashion, Contemporary Architecture, Roman Mosaics and Monaghan Lace, created using sheets of plastic, cereal boxes and waste paper.
No Place Like Home by Lily Muldoon, Sarah Mohan and Ryan Lavelle, Coláiste Dún an Rí, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan – made from T-shirts that were upcycled into yarn which was macraméd together to create a modern day ‘Dorothy’ outfit to highlight the ongoing housing crisis throughout the world.
Celtic Eire by Mallaidh Murtagh and Holly Curran, Largy College, Clones, Co. Monaghan – inspired by childhood stories and Celtic traditions, the design incorporated St Brigid crosses and Clones lace.
Lady Of The Landscape by Aisling McFadden, Éabha McGinley and Sinéad Browne, Pobalscoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal – with a message against illegal dumping in the bogland’s of Donegal, the designers captured the landscape’s lush greens and regal purples using salvaged duvets, plastic bottles, prams and a Christmas tree.
Denim Dominance by James Pilbeam, Gabrielle Furlong and Amelia Hannigan, Dundalk Grammar School, Dundalk, Co. Louth – Made out from discarded Work trousers and jeans, the designers hope to raise awareness against hostile architecture and the global homelessness crisis.
