Two Westmeath teams through to Junk Kouture World Final

‘Aquacultural’ by Clodagh Ramsey of Wilson’s Hospital School, and ‘Alpacalypse’ by Emma Kinahan, Lucy Champ, and Emma Keane of Moate Community School, were among the 10 teams announced as Junk Kouture World Finalists last night.

During the Junk Kouture Dublin City Final at the RDS, the young designers impressed judges and audiences with their creations, all made from recycled materials.

This year’s final was livestreamed globally on RTÉ Player for the first time.

From up-cycled tealights to mussel shells turned couture, each design carried powerful messages about pressing issues such as the housing crisis and the environmental impact of fast fashion.

Now, the 10 teams represent Ireland in the Junk Kouture World Final, where they will compete for the title of World Designer of the Year.

You can watch the highlights on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Wednesday October 16 at 7pm.

The 10 World Finalist designs are:

• Aquacultural by Clodagh Ramsey of Wilson’s Hospital School, made from over 2,000 Irish blue mussel shells, charity shop lace, old hair extensions and feathers.

• Alpacalypse by Emma Kinahan, Lucy Champ and Emma Keane of Moate Community School, 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• La Mer Bougie by Charlotte Monaghan, Ciara McDonagh and Jade O’Mailey of Sancta Maria College, Mayo made from tealights, wicks, pipes and rope.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

The date and location of the Junk Kouture World Final will be announced shortly – follow social media channels @junkkouture for the update.

Junk Kouture extends thanks to partners: RTÉ as official broadcast partner, EUROSPAR as official market partner, and DHL Express Ireland as the official logistics partner; along with Deloitte, ATU and other supporters who made the event possible.

The judging panel members were: fashion designer Claire Garvey, sustainability innovator Fionn Ferreira, and former Junk Kouture champion and fashion designer Mariusz Malon,.

• junkkouture.com and follow on social media @junkkouture