Fashion blinds

Dublin People 09 Feb 2019

Bank of Ireland youth ambassador James Patrice presented a silver ticket to St Aidan’s CBS Whitehall student Cian Newman for his ‘Ripple’ creation made from household blinds. Photo: Darren Kinsella

BANK of Ireland youth ambassador James Patrice turned up at St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall, last week to present a silver Junk Kouture ticket to student Cian Newman.

Talented Cian won the ticket thanks to his fantastic Ripple fashion creation made out of recycled household blinds.

Junk Kouture is a fashion, design, engineering and environmental competition for second level students that inspires young designers to recycle or upcycle everyday junk materials to create works of wearable art.

Cian’s costume will now compete with other spectacular outfits from across the city that have been chosen to compete in this year’s Junk Kouture regional Dublin semi-final at the Helix on March 5.

These include designs from students at Larkin Community College who made a fantastic costume from an old wedding dress, net curtains and 100 reused shopping bags.

The ‘Me Granny got it in Guiney’s’ dress was inspired by paper shopping bags that the model’s (Madison Rafferty) granny used to bring home from town.

Now in its ninth year Ireland’s leading fashion and art competition for secondary schools challenges students to create unique, original and innovative outfits from recycled materials and junk.

“We were blown away by the standard and imagination of this year’s entries, the judges have had the most difficult job since the competition has begun, to decide who should go forward to the semi-finals,” said spokesperson, Megan Kelly.

“We also had more entries this year, which made the decision choosing process even more challenging.”

For the full list of 320 silver ticket winners who have made it through to the regional finals next month, visit www.facebook.com/BOIstudents

Designs that didn’t qualify still have an opportunity to make it to the semi- finals.

The public can vote for designs in the lifeline vote on app.junkkouture.com. The team with the most votes in each region will win a spot at the semi-finals.

The lifeline vote will close on Friday, February 15.

The Junk Kouture grand final will take place in the 3Arena on May 2.