Tipperary Junk Kouture designers are taking the world by storm

World Junk Kouture

Ursuline’s Junk Kouture World Finalists, Eye of the Beholder were one of ten Irish teams to be chosen to represent their nation in Monaco this week at the foremost international sustainable fashion competition for post-primary school students from around the globe.

The team of Shauna Walsh, Zoe Whelan and Lauren Egan made their bespoke design mainly from discarded tents from Electric Picnic and embellished it with 1600 hand cut ‘milk filter sock’ petals, garden hose and 3D printed snake heads.

They took their inspiration from the much maligned Greek Goddess, Medusa, who has, in recent times, come to represent survivors of sexual violence. Model Lauren took to the catwalk of the Grimaldi Forum on Thursday night to the Fifth Harmony hit Worth It and literally gave it socks.

She was amazing, owning the stage, having the time of her life, and the girls had prepared their outfit meticulously in advance of this incredible opportunity.

Thank you to the Junk Kouture team of teachers, Mr English, Ms Annette Flanagan and Ms Erica Flanagan, who supported and encouraged Lauren, Zoe and Shauna throughout the competition.

Junk Kouture Southern Region

Congratulations to the three Ursuline entries for Junk Kouture 2024 who have been selected for the Southern Regional Final, Vision Zero, Race to the Finish and Limitless.

Vision Zero, made by Christina Whelan, Tara Johnson and Caitlín Cussen used seatbelts, high viz jackets, copper wire and a bike wheel for their dress, which has a strong road safety message.

Anna O’Callaghan, Julia McHugh and Sophie Quirke were influenced by Rachel Blackmore’s success as a jockey, which they brought into their silver and blue dress.

Race to the Finish was created with saddles,horseshoes, rosettes and jockey silks. The Limitless team of Ellen Jordan, Aoife Coyle and Rhianna Dollard created their bustier type dress mainly using a truck curtain or tautliner, which they decorated with washers, seatbelts, all topped off with a mitre-style head piece.

Best of luck to all three teams as they head to the Helix in Dublin on Monday, March 4, to showcase their unique couturier junk designs.

Contributed to School Days in the Tipperary Star by the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles.