Junk Kouture final on TV for first time tonight

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It will be lights, camera, action as students from across Ireland battle it out to be crowned winner of the rescheduled 2020 Junk Kouture Grand Final Powered by RTÉ tonight (Thursday) at 7pm on RTÉ2.

Like most live events last year, Covid-19 led to the postponement of the 10th annual Junk Kouture final in 3Arena Dublin in April 2020 – but the curtain didn’t fall on Junk Kouture as the team persevered to produce an equally wonderful alternative to their yearly live show.

And now for the first time, the Junk Kouture Grand Final, supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, will be televised, beaming the designs of students into the homes of the nation and showcasing talented young people who have waited so patiently throughout the pandemic for their moment to shine.

Catch all the action on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player to find out who will be crowned the next winner of Junk Kouture.

Filmed in beautiful new venues across Ireland, the final has been adapted for the times we live in, not only granting students the opportunity to model their creations in a safe way, but to also gain the experience of being one of the stars of a television production.

The hosts are 2FM presenters Laura Fox and Emma Power, and viewers can expect an extravaganza of performance, art, design, sustainability and high fashion, as students aim to impress an expert panel of judges, including X-Factor judge Louis Walsh and judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Michelle Visage.

There will also be a special musical performance from pop princess and 2FM Rising artist Aimée, who will perform her new single, Bulletproof.

All students will strut their stuff in designs made entirely from everyday junk: whether that is old tyres, toothbrushes or burnt toast, anything goes when it comes to Junk Kouture.

The golden rule is the outfit has to be made from 100% recycled materials.

The winner of Junk Kouture 2020 will get €1,000 and a further €2,000 for the winning school.

There will be many other awards on the night at the Winners Party, broadcast on junkkouture.com straight after the main show, including the bright Enterprise Award and the Waste2Wear Creative for a Cause Award.

The RTÉ Audience Choice Award will allow the audience at home to have their say by voting for their favourite design on app.junkkouture.com.

The winning design will receive an RTÉ Audience Choice Award trophy and the experience of starring in a bespoke social media campaign on RTÉ’s social channels for their design.

Voting closes at 6pm on Friday February 5.

Previous winner

The 2019 winner Maxim O’Sullivan (18) has remained a steadfast member of the Junk Kouture community since. Maxim attended Cannes Film Festival in May 2019 and The Royal Film Performance™ with the World Premiere of ‘1917’ at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London in December 2019.

His winning design, ‘Cinematic’, embodied the iconic Phoenix Cinema in Dingle, created with materials sourced from a recent makeover of the cinema, which has been owned by Maxim’s family since the 1970s.

Junk Kouture judge Michelle Visage said: “There have been so many ups and downs for everyone this year but somehow Junk Kouture has found a way to adapt – and that resilience is why I am so excited to play my part in the 10th Grand Final of this amazing contest.

“Our finalists will be making history, as the final is aired on TV for the first time. I really love everything about this competition, as it not only showcases the extraordinary creativity of the next generation, but it also carries an important message for us all: to look after the world we live in.

“I want all the finalists to seize the moment and show us what they’ve got. I can’t wait to witness the talent on display. And I am delighted to reunite with Louis Walsh to help crown the next winner of Junk Kouture.”

Louis said: “I have been judging Junk Kouture for 10 years now and I have to admit, I really feared that the 10th final might not go ahead. There were times when we all thought, ‘how can we make this happen?’ but I am so happy that Junk Kouture has managed to overcome every obstacle and organise an unforgettable show for everyone.

“It’s just incredible how things have been turned around and now the final will be on television for the first time! It’s the 10th year of Junk Kouture and things are certainly bigger and better than ever.

“What is even more amazing is that despite Michelle being on the other side of the world, we will be able to judge this competition together, thanks to technology.

“I am so glad to be involved and see what the students have in store for us. They are what Junk Kouture is all about and I can’t wait to see who is going to be the next big thing!”

Katie Brill, resonsible for Junk Kouture PR and communications, said: “In true Junk Kouture fashion, we had to adapt and take a leaf out of the students’ book by being innovative and creative with our ideas and plans to give the finalists an experience as equally exceptional as standing on stage of 3Arena.

“With the support of RTÉ and Creative Ireland, here we are! For the first time, we bring you Junk Kouture Grand Final on RTÉ2. We invite you to sit back and watch the unveiling of months of hard work as we crown the winner of Junk Kouture 2020. You know what they say, great things come to those who wait!”

The director of Creative Ireland Tania Banotti said: “We are delighted to be supporting Junk Kouture in 2021, having witnessed the creative brilliance of these young people at live shows over the years.

“By reimagining the programme, Junk Kouture has shown a commitment to its community of creatives and teachers, affording them the opportunity to continue the annual celebration of fashion and upcycling.

“We are proud to play a role not only in the conclusion of the 2020 programme, but also in the development of Junk Kouture’s education platform and reach in 2021.”