Moate Junk Kouture designs displayed at Brown Thomas

Two Junk Kouture designs from students of Moate Community School (MCS) have been selected to be displayed at this year's CREATE 2023 in Brown Thomas in Dublin.

Taking to social media to announce the news, Junk Kouture said: “This month, Junk Kouture students from Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath had a huge opportunity, as they were chosen to display their designs at this year's CREATE 2023 in Brown Thomas. We're incredibly proud of both design teams and to support our community.”

'Lighting the Way' made by Sean Murray Gaffey is one of the designs chosen to be showcased. The dress is mostly made from silver tea lights which Sean said he collected from churches in Moate and Mount Temple and from his uncle who's a priest on Achill island.

The second design from MCS is #Tag Me made by Eva Donlon (16) from Tubber, Méabh O'Shea (15) from Mount Temple and Evie Nugent (17) from Ballymore. Their dress was inspired by the designer Missoni and his work and made from plastic colour testers from Delta Q, a plastics manufacturer, in Athlone.

Back again for its thirteenth year, CREATE 2023 celebrates Ireland’s most exciting and talented designers. The annual platform presents 28 of the country’s newest and emerging makers across ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, millinery, jewellery and homewares.

Brown Thomas Arnotts fashion director, Shelly Corkery, commented: “Selecting this year’s showcase of designers was such a privilege. Every year we are blown away with the development of previous designers’ collections and discovering new brands. We’re thrilled to unveil this year’s line-up and continue to support Ireland’s most captivating talent.”

The six-week showcase will be on display exclusively on Level 2 at Brown Thomas, Grafton Street from 10am to 6pm everyday until Thursday, August 10.