Two awards for Moate CS in Junk Kouture final

A group of Moate Community School students emerged as the West Region winner in the Junk Kouture national final last night.

The students involved in the award-winning design were Caoimhe Lowry, Gráinne Geoghegan and Erin Hickey, under the guidance of Moate CS teacher Pamela Keogh.

'Blinded by Perfection' was the name of the Moate CS design. Made from vertical blinds, fringing, pull strings, and wire hinges, the dress represents how people are blinded by the pressures of social media and the relentless pursuit for perfection.

There was double celebration for Moate CS as Pamela Keogh was awarded the Teacher Hall of Fame award for her contribution to Junk Kouture over the years.

Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone was also among the winners as they were chosen for the Finishing Touches award.

The Bower's 'Get With the Programme' design was by Jessica Henson and Lucy Denby, with the help of teacher Oonagh Kelly. Their design was made from All-Ireland ladies football final programmes.

There was another Westmeath winner with Castlepollard Community College winning the Waste2Wear Creative For a Cause award with Darkness Into Light by David Tulgara, Jack Scally, Sian McLaverty, assisted by teacher Sharon Carberry.

The overall winner was Carndonagh CS in Donegal, with students Brónach Harkin, Robyn O’Donnell and Orlaith Doherty winning with 'Synergy’ - a Elie Saab-inspired dress made of sea glass, plastic milk cartons and smashed jam jars.

The rescheduled final of Junk Kouture, the recycled fashion competition, was televised on RTÉ for the first time in its ten-year history last night.

The 2020 final was originally scheduled for April 2020 in Dublin's 3Arena, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, all was not lost as Junk Kouture, supported by Creative Ireland, found an incredible alternative to the live event.

The format of recording finalists remotely and producing a show for broadcast - which proved successful for the 2020 competition - will continue into 2021.

As always, the golden rule is that outfits must be made from 100 per cent recycled materials. Registration for the 2021 competition is open now for students across Ireland and the UK until Friday, April 19.

Junk Kouture - full list of winners 2020

Overall winner and North Region winner: Synergy by Brónach Harkin, Robyn O’Donnell, Orlaith Doherty, teacher Pauline McDermott, Carndonagh Community School, Donegal.

East Region winner: The Devil Within by Laura Byrne, Katie Brady, Lisa Murray, teacher Grace Boon, Margaret Aylward Community College, Whitehall.

South East Region winner: Element 13 by Grace Maher, teacher Kate Garner, Tullow Community School, Tullow.

West Region winner: Blinded by Perfection by Caoimhe Lowry, Grainne Geoghegan, Erin Hickey, teacher Pamela Keogh, Moate Community School, Moate.

South Region winner: Givin’ It Welly by Laura Hally, Cathy Horgan, Emma Ryan, teacher Michael English, Ursuline Community School, Thurles.

Glamour Award 1: Imperium by Victoria Canty, Ellen O’Gorman, Saoirse McCarra, teacher Mairead Fennell, Presentation Secondary School Clonmel.

Glamour Award 2: Hanging by a Thread by Gabriela Dyrcz, Lucy Egan, Christine Keely, teacher Frances Kerrick, Coláiste Brid, Enniscorthy.

Most Unusual Material: Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Kate Fitzgibbon, Sarah Egan, Rebecca Hogan, teacher Michael English, Ursuline Community School, Thurles.

Waste2Wear Creative For a Cause: Darkness Into Light by David Tulgara, Jack Scally, Sian McLaverty, teacher Sharon Carberry, Castlepollard Community College, Castlepollard.

Finishing Touches: Get With the Programme by Jessica Henson and Lucy Denby, teacher Oonagh Kelly, Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone.

Bright Enterprise Award: Peace Unfolds by Sarah Tuohy, Elise Finn, Grainne McCaul, teacher Jayne Louise Kelly, Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise.

Best Performance: Warrior Team by Ange Mputu (performer), Simone White, Bernadette Maughan, teacher Caroline Murray, Blanchardstown Youth Reach.

LSAD Bursary: Element 13 (recipient Grace Maher), Tullow Community School, Tullow.

Griffith College Bursary: Synergy (recipient Robyn O’Donnell), Carndonagh Community School.

Teacher Hall of Fame: Pamela Keogh, Moate Community School, Moate.

JK Junior (announced in March): The Story Begins by Sasha Evans, Rachel Treverton, Leah Rainey, teacher Tanya Creighton, City of Armagh High School, Armagh.