Junk Kouture is a national contest which encourages young designers in second level education to create striking couture designs and impressive works of wearable art from everyday junk that would normally find its way into the bin. Junk Kouture aims to inspire and ignite passion in these teenagers while at the same time subtly educating them about the importance of recycling and reusing waste.
In 2016, Old Bawn entered the competition for the first time with its entry ‘Uptown Punk’, by Lily Rose Chatham, Grace Nestor and Helana Paul Maliakal. The outstanding entry and was not only shortlisted for the Eastern Regional Finals, but was also chosen as a Wild Card for the All Ireland Final.
Student Lily Rose Chatham 16yrs from Old Bawn Community School in Tallaght wears a design she made along with fellow students Anna Helana Maliakal and Grace Nestor . Lily is pictured after she received the Wild Card for the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture Competition 2016, Ireland’s leading fashion and art competition for second level students. The all-island competition now in its sixth year aims to spark the imagination by encouraging students to create unique, original and innovative outfits from recycled materials and junk. This design entitled “Uptown Punk” was made from Cereal Boxes, Flooring underlay, Xmas tree nets, plastic and perfume lids. The Grand Final which will take place in the 3 Arena on the 14th April and will feature the top 80 designs from schools across the country. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.
Following the school’s success in the competition, and the availability of time this year, our budding fashion designers in Transition Year have eagerly begun designing their creative Junk Kouture outfits.
