The Junk Kouture Dublin City Final brought an electrifying showcase of creativity and sustainability to the RDS, where 10 outstanding teams were announced as World Finalists.
These innovative young designers impressed the judges with their unique creations, all made from recycled materials, showing that sustainability and high fashion can go hand in hand.
From up-cycled tealights to mussel shells turned couture, each design carried powerful messages about pressing issues such as Ireland’s housing crisis and the environmental impact of fast fashion.
This year’s judging panel consisted of renowned fashion designer Claire Garvey, anti-plastic pollution innovator Fionn Ferreira, former Junk Kouture champion Mariusz Malon. They were given the difficult task of whittling down the 60 Dublin City finalists to 10 World Finalists.
The 10 World Finalists are:
Natural Allure by Stephanie O’Connor and Sienna Howe of Colaiste Bride, Wexford made from the bark of the Ugandan Mutuba tree and 2,500 beads hand quilled from olds books.
Alpacalypse by Emma Kinahan, Lucy Champ and Emma Keane of Moate Community School, Westmeath made from alpaca wool and synthetic leather.
Lady of the Landscape by Aisling McFadden, Eabha McGinley and Sinead Browne of Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola, Donegal made from old duvets, prams from the bogland and 250 plastic bottles.
La Mer Bougie by Charlotte Monaghan, Ciara McDonagh and Jade O’Mailey of Sancta Maria College, Mayo made from tealights, wicks, pipes and rope.
Aquacultural by Clodagh Ramsey of Wilson’s Hospital School, Westmeath made from over 2,000 Irish blue mussel shells, charity shop lace, old hair extensions and feathers.
Lir’s Child by Caitlin Clarke and Amy Rose Lynam of Loreto Secondary School, Dublin made from dried reeds, charity shop denim and plastic milk cartons.
Vision Zero by Christina Whelan, Tara Johnson, Caitlin Cussen of Ursuline Secondary School, Tipperary made from seatbelts and high visibility vests as the designers were inspired by the RSA’s campaign Vision Zero.
Queen of the Kings by John Coughlan and Lucy Murphy of Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai, Cork made from silage wrap, fertilizer bags and an old football.
I’m Your Venus by Ameliia Karashtefan, Viktoriia Romanchenko and Natalie Quinn Sheehan of Colaiste Nano Nagle, Limerick made from old tents, floor installation and bottle caps.
Inferno Attire by Siobhan McGrane, Bibi Lynch and Nel Czubak of Swords Community College, Dublin made from potato sacks, 800 crushed tealights, a hay net and a Halloween mask.
These teams will be competing for the ultimate title of ‘Dublin City Designer of the Year’ at the World Final, where they’ll take on design champs from London, Milan, Paris, New York, and Dubai in a bid to snag the crown of ‘World Designer of the Year’.
You can catch all the highlights from the Dublin City Final on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Wednesday, October 16 at 7 pm.
