Junk Kouture design made from 'Westmeath Independent' copies
An Athlone design that has qualified for the Dublin City final of Junk Kouture is made primarily of unsold copies of the Westmeath Independent.
The design, 'News Spreads' by Athlone Community College students, Eve Carey and Maeve Murphy, is one of 60 to reach the national final in the Helix in DCU on May 7.
Ten designs will be chosen on the night to represent Ireland in the World Final of the 2025 Junk Kouture competition later this year.
The core raw material of the design is newspapers provided to the team by the Westmeath Independent.
The bodice, skirt, and headpiece are made from copies of the Westmeath Independent, which are either glued or sewn onto fabric, and shaped into floral or fan details. The glue used in the production is sustainably made from potato starch.
'News Spreads' is designed to highlight the need for more sustainable practices across the printing industry, including the printing of newspapers.
The team pointed out that traditional ink used in some newspaper printing is petroleum-based and contains volatile organic compounds, which can be harmful to the environment and to human health.
The students also believe that companies should choose paper made from recycled fibres, or from a mix of recycled fibres and fibres from new wood.
The team worked on their creation during a four-month period.
Eve Carey said: “We looking for an everyday material we could use and we thought of newspapers, because they are a key part in daily lives, especially in Ireland where most adults read them.”
Maeve Murphy, who also models the design, said: “It was exciting to turn something ordinary into the extraordinary. To be a part of such a big competition is both nerve-wracking and such a privilege.”
'News Spreads' was selected to compete at the regional final from some 1,200 entries nationally, before taking to the stage at Helix and qualifying for the national final.
Eve said they learned of their selection for the regional stage on a Transition Year school trip to Paris.
“We were jumping around Disneyland in excitement and everyone was looking at us!” she laughed.
'News Spreads' is one of four from this area set to compete in the national final.
Moate Community School will be represented by two teams: 'Blueprint' by Erin Roche, Muireann Lowry, and Hannah Higgins, and 'Pay AtTENTion' by Lucy Hamilton and Niall Maxwell.
Ardscoil Mhuire Ballinasloe student Erin Godswill, will showcase her design 'AfroRoyalty'.