Upcoming Irish designers harness everyday junk in bid to win a place at the world final

From paperbag waists to actual paper bags, and old alarm cables and plastic bottles — they're all on the Junk Kouture lookbook

New Junk Kouture judge Soulé — pictured here wearing Junk Kouture design Alarming Twists made by Ellen Rowny, Fial Dalton, Chloe Cross, from Mountrath Community School, Co Laois. This design is made from old alarm cables and wires, plastic bottles and plastic bags. Pic Brian McEvoy

Horse stirrups, silage wrap and chicken wire are as important as pleats, beads and appliqué for the 60 Irish design teams putting finishing touches to haute-couture outfits ahead of the first ever Junk Kouture World Final.

May 5 is the day the designers, aged 13-18 years, get to showcase their creations in the hope of being selected as one of the 10 entries competing against designs from London, Paris, Milan, New York and Abu Dhabi in the world final.