by Martina Brodie and Ricky Franklin

Students from Moate Community School in Ireland took home the Junk Kouture World Designer of the 2023 title at the Junk Kouture World Final in sold-out Monaco’s Salle des Princes at the Grimaldi Forum on February 22. The team’s creation, named #TagMe and crafted by Eva Donlon from Tubber, Méabh O’Shea from Mount Temple, and Evie Nugent from Ballymore, emerged victorious. 

Under the guidance of teacher Pamela Keogh, their design outshone sixty finalists from cities worldwide, including Dublin, Paris, London, New York, Abu Dhabi, and Milan. Taking inspiration from the renowned designer Missoni, the winning ensemble was ingeniously crafted from  seven bags weighing 10kg of un-recyclable tags – plastic colour testers sourced from Delta Q, a prominent plastics manufacturer based in Athlone, Ireland. 

“All of the contestants were the winners,” said one of the judges, content creator and model Lise Pierron “and their victory  underscores the power of ingenuity and resourcefulness in addressing environmental challenges while leaving a mark on the global stage of fashion and design.”

Altogether 17 awards were given to young contestants from around the globe. Material used for their designs ranged from pencil shavings to pistachio shells, plastic bags, bottles, discarded  aeroplane parts and wishing ribbons! 

Article: https://news.mc/2024/02/23/irish-students-secure-global-junk-kouture-title/