The Winners of the World Finals of Junk Kouture in Monaco Almost in Radiant Disbelief

An exciting development has just come to a head in Monaco with the World Finals of the Junk Kouture competition. 

Sixty haute-couture designs made completely from recycled materials took to the catwalk last Thursday night in Salle des Princes in Grimaldi Forum, Monaco.

Did you know that by 2030 the mission of “Junk Kouture” is to impact 100,000 schools and over one billion young individuals, the adults of tomorrow.

What is Junk Couture

Junk Kouture is open to 12-19 year-olds and challenges young people to design, upcycle and create high end Kouture from recycled Junk, before showcasing their design and representing their school on stages across the world!

Junk Kouture gained prominence when it became a television fashion competition for post-primary school students, where participants design, create and model fashion, made from recycled items. The competition used to be run in Ireland, since it was founded in 2010, by Troy Armour and then went International …. currently with the World Finals in Monaco. 

International School of Monaco Shows its Support

“Junk Kouture” endeavors to provide an unparalleled educational platform, empowering youth to express themselves before a global audience. Partnering with the Creativity and Circularity Laboratory, the International School of Monaco underscored its unwavering commitment to sustainability, transcending the boundaries of this event.

And Monaco’s neighbours on the Côte d’Azur took a run for the winning trophy at the Salle des Princes in Grimaldi Forum.

In the race for the top spot, stood the International School of Nice, showcasing their creation titled “From Coastline to Wasteline.” Explaining their inspiration, ISN highlighted their strategic location in the scenic South of France, harnessing the essence of their surroundings to craft a masterpiece. Their vision translates into a mesmerizing garment, reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea’s allure and the sun’s radiant warmth, symbolizing their dedication to preserving nature’s beauty and advocating for sustainable fashion.

The creative team behind this ensemble demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness, utilizing recycled materials such as soda can tabs, bottle caps, old laundry baskets, magazines, and even fishing nets sourced from a collaboration with the Nice Yacht-club.

The World Final Winners of Junk Kouture at the Grimaldi Forum 

Irish students from Moate, Co Westmeath, have been crowned Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year in Monaco.

Winning Irish project #TagMe was designed by Eva Donlon, Evie Nugent and Méabh O’Shea of Moate Community School.

Their project was made from more than 2,500 plastic colour samples for various plastic objects, which were hand sewn together.

These samples usually end up in landfills as the different colours make them difficult to recycle.

The students were in almost absolute disbelief and radiant with happiness at their good fortune in Monaco. 

Meanwhile, the Glamour Award powered by Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, which is the home of Junk Kouture, went to another Irish design Invidia.

It was designed by Julia Grant, Ciara Gilmore, and Ailish Doherty, who also modelled the design, made from shoe boxes and a shower curtain.

Another Irish design the Muse by Asia O’Riordan and Erris Lindsay from Blessington Community College, Co Wicklow, won the Wearable Art Award powered by Eurospar.

Their design was made of beads, bingo cards, wool, sticks of willow, old denim, fabrics and paint.

Steam Awards Together with Microsoft went to STEMinist designed by Vanessa Kielty, Martha Nugent and Mary McNulty of Elphin, Co Roscommon.

It was created to encourage more girls to become involved in STEM subjects.

The design was made from old electrical wiring and a copper water cylinder, nuts and bolts, rusted corrugated iron, high-vis jacket, disused landscape netting, tool mats, gears and plastic.

Meanwhile, the trophies for last night’s World Final were specially made from old Perspex screens.

Last night’s gala saw 10 designs from each Junk Kouture territory, including France, Italy, the USA, and the UAE with active participation and support from Monaco institutions including the International School of Monaco and the Kate Powers Foundation standing alongside esteemed Monaco partners including Monaco Telecom, WPA, Glam, and TWW Yachts. Together, these partners have joined forces to support the sustainable movement of Junk Kouture, exemplifying their shared commitment to fostering creativity and sustainability among the youth.