Wexford in the spotlight at the Junk Kouture World Final

Coffee pods, bike chains, even the tarpaulin off the back of a lorry… these are just some of the materials used by sixty design teams from around the globe who have arrived in Dublin for the Junk Kouture Festival of Creativity and Circularity, with the Junk Kouture World Final taking place today 24th February in the Helix. The hopeful teams from Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, the USA and the UAE will present breathtaking couture designs made entirely from recycled materials with one design crowned World Designer of the Year later tonight.

Representing Wexford are students from Presentation Secondary School and Ramsgrange Community School. Their designs, Blazing Muse and Gear Glamour, will compete for the title of World Designer of the Year.

Gear Glamour was created by Ellen Chapman, Anna Murphy, Kayla Butler of Ramsgrange Community School, it was made from wheel spokes, tyre tubes, bicycle covers, tyres, chains and brake cables to promote cycling as an eco-friendly transport alternative.Blazing Muse was created by Isabel Ryder (model), Niamh Donohoe, Lilly Mangan of Presentation Secondary School, inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier, Blazing Muse transforms a damaged tarpaulin trailer curtain into a bold statement piece.

Selected from the 2024 - 2025 cycle of Junk Kouture, the designs will be evaluated by a prestigious judging panel of experts in sustainability, fashion, education, and entertainment: Cory Infinite, a creative director and multidisciplinary artist known for championing individuality and self-expression through fashion; leading Irish designer whose work bridges fashion, culture and media Claire Garvey; and Zeda, Dublin-based visual artist, stylist and creative director.

Celebrating 16 years in Ireland this year, the Junk Kouture final taking place here in Dublin showcases Ireland’s pivotal role in promoting youth creativity and circular innovation. All Junk Kouture participants are required to align their designs with at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By doing so, Junk Kouture encourages young people to link their creative process to global initiatives, building a deeper understanding of the challenges we face and the solutions needed to shape a meaningful future.