Sixty haute-couture designs made completely from recycled materials took to the catwalk on Thursday night in Salle des Princes in Grimaldi Forum, Monaco.
Winning Irish project #TagMe was designed by Eva Donlon, Evie Nugent and Méabh O’Shea of Moate Community School.
Their project was made from more than 2,500 plastic colour samples for various plastic objects, which were hand sewn together.
#TagMe’ made by students of Moate Community School, Moate, Co. Westmeath (left) and Paris World Finalist ‘Climatica’ made by students in Lycée Professionnel Ferdinand Buisson, France. Photo: Ed Wright.
These samples usually end up in landfills as the different colours make them difficult to recycle.
Speaking after being crowned the winner, Eva Donlon said the three students are in “absolute disbelief”.
“Best journey ever and even being here in Monaco we’re so lucky, we came in with absolutely no expectations and just having the time of our lives,” she said.
“The opportunities you get with Junk Kouture are just amazing.
“In the summer, we got to take part in Create 2023 in Brown Thomas, one thing we thought we’d absolutely never get is a dress in Brown Thomas and there we are,” Ms Donlon added.
Meanwhile, the Glamour Award powered by Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, which is the home of Junk Kouture, went to another Irish design Invidia.
It was designed by Julia Grant, Ciara Gilmore, and Ailish Doherty, who also modelled the design, made from shoe boxes and a shower curtain.
Wicklow students set off for Junk Kouture World finals in Monaco
Another Irish design the Muse by Asia O’Riordan and Erris Lindsay from Blessington Community College, Co Wicklow, won the Wearable Art Award powered by Eurospar.
Their design was made of beads, bingo cards, wool, sticks of willow, old denim, fabrics and paint.
Steam Awards Together with Microsoft went to STEMinist designed by Vanessa Kielty, Martha Nugent and Mary McNulty of Elphin, Co Roscommon.
It was created to encourage more girls to become involved in STEM subjects.
The design was made from old electrical wiring and a copper water cylinder, nuts and bolts, rusted corrugated iron, high-vis jacket, disused landscape netting, tool mats, gears and plastic.
Ready to Wear Award powered by Deloitte also went to an Irish design Le Nouveau Riche by Theo Connolly of Dundalk Grammar School, Co Louth.
It was made using waste from vaccine centres.
Meanwhile, the trophies for last night’s World Final have been specially made from old Perspex screens by teams from Atlantic Technological University in Donegal.
Last night’s gala, hosted by TV and radio presenter Louise Cantillon and TG4 star Darragh Ó Caoimh, saw 10 designs from each Junk Kouture territory, including Ireland, Italy, the USA, and the UAE.
Designs from Ireland, UK, France, Italy, USA and UAE. Photo: Ed Wright.
Junk Kouture 2024 kicks off its now sold-out regional finals in Ireland on March 4 and March 5 in the Helix, Dublin.
