Watch the Junk Kouture Grand Final 2021 on Thursday 9th December at 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Click through the gallery above to see the grand finalists.
Leading the charge on incredibly glam sustainability, and now in its 10th year, Junk Kouture has been challenging post-primary school students across the country to create high-end designs from junk.
Incorporating elements of environmental sustainability, fashion, art, design, and engineering, Junk Kouture annually showcases aspiring designers aged 12 – 18-years from across Ireland as they rise to the challenge to create wearable fashion - the golden rule being that everything used must be 100% recycled.
From an outfit inspired by the Celtic Goddess of the forest and woodland animals made from pinecones and conkers, to emulating legends of design Jean Paul Gaultier and Janelle Monáe by weaving together seatbelts and an old tent, this year’s finalists certainly know how to turn Junk into Kouture.
As always there are many important message behind the designs that have made the cut for the prestigious final round. The colourful Coatlicue design from students at Castlepollard Community College in Co Westmeath has channelled a fearsome Aztec deity who symbolises earth worship to urge us to allow the world to heal from the damage done by human neglect and abuse.
The topical Covid-19 pandemic also features as Presentation Secondary School Thurles in Co Tipperary shine a light on the struggles caused by Covid and hidden disabilities creating a warrior-themed outfit Divoc-91 using contact lenses holders, injection holders, tablet blister packets and Pentasa sachets.
The Junk Kouture judging panel - Louis Walsh, Michelle Visage and Roz Purcell - has finally decided on the 35 winning designs that will compete in the Grand Final.
Junk Kouture 2021
On the night, the overall winner of Junk Kouture 2021 will be announced live on television as well as the five regional winners.
Then it will be over to the Junk Kouture After Party on the Junk Kouture YouTube channel at 8pm, also presented by RTÉ 2FM's Laura Fox and Emma Power alongside Órla and Sean, as they catch up with the judges and winning students and the remainder of the awards are presented including two Glamour awards, Creative for a Cause award, Finishing Touches award, Best Performance award, the Most Unusual Material award plus Teacher of the Year award.
Have your say
Viewers at home will also have the chance to have their say and vote for their favourites with the RTÉ 2FM Audience Award. They can vote online on RTE.ie from 9th - 19th December with the winner announced on RTÉ 2FM on Monday 20th December.
