Castlepollard team take 'Coatlicue' design to next level
Sarah Slevin
Three past pupils of Castlepollard Community College are set to take RTÉ by storm at the Junk Kouture Grand Final later this year.
The annual Junk Kouture competition, powered by RTÉ and supported by Creative Ireland, challenges students to reuse and recycle materials to create fashion designs.
The Grand Final is to be broadcast on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.
A group of three local members who completed their Leaving Certificate this year at Castlepollard Community College were chosen among the 35 finalists from across the country.
Robert Kennedy, Jack Scally and David Tugara had worked on their design ‘Coatlicue’ during their final year in school, alongside English and Geography teacher, Sharon Carberry.
Due to Covid-19, the details of the final are not fully clear yet, but Sharon mentioned that they recently took part in a photoshoot with RTÉ for it.
“We are still a little bit in the dark, but we know there will be some kind of show on RTÉ and on a YouTube channel,” Sharon said.
“Three weeks ago, we went to Wicklow to film parts of our design and do the performance and interviews, and they are going to edit that into a show.”
Sharon mentioned that although the three designers behind ‘Coatlicue’ has moved on to from school they have been keeping the momentum of their achievement going.
“They were in Leaving Cert last year, they were all part of our ASD unit and have gone on to bigger and better things, so we are trying to keep the momentum going and keep them involved, which is a bit difficult because of Covid,” Sharon added.
On the recent day of filming, only David had been able to attend, and he modelled and was the lead designer of their creation.
Although there has been uncertainty regarding how the event will take place, Sharon said they plan on all getting together via Zoom on the night to enjoy the celebrations and hear the winner announcement together.
Of the design, Sharon said: “Our design is based on the Aztec God of nature, Coatlicue, both creator and destroyer of nature. The vivid colours in our design highlight the beauty and vitality of our world – however, this beauty is under threat due to human greed and consumption. We wanted to create a design that shows strength and power. Our design brings Coatlicue back to life to reclaim his title as god of nature.”
The group were resourceful with their creation and used a range of different materials to bring the design to life.
The students gave a new home to rejuvenated denim and a bicycle helmet, while also using a countless amount of the plastic found wrapped around briquettes and bales of hay.