Irish team's sustainable design makes history at Junk Kouture world final in Abu Dhabi
Joshua Osabuehien (18) and Solomon Eduard (17) from Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School in Longford, made history by winning the debut edition of the Junk Kouture World Final and being crowned the first-ever World Sustainable Designer of the Year
Joshua Osabuehien (18) and Solomon Eduard (17) from Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School in Longford, made history by winning the debut edition of the Junk Kouture World Final and being crowned the first-ever World Sustainable Designer of the Year.
Held at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, the World Final saw six incredible designs reign supreme over 53 other recycled couture pieces, all conceived, crafted and modelled by eco-conscious student teams from the UAE, France, Italy, Ireland, Britain, and USA.
Overall winner, Back to the Future, wowed with its craftsmanship, imagination and skills. Inspired by the themes of sustainable living and reconnecting with the planet, Joshua Osabuehien and Solomon Eduard’s creation was intricately constructed from a mix of wire tubing, foam packaging, and scrap sheets of aluminum from a builder’s yard, an old shin guard, cable ties and fish wire. The design is a futuristic coat of armor.
"The planet is on the brink. The risk is real. If we continue to consume and power our lives the way we do now then our forests, oceans and weather systems will collapse," the entrants said.
"We need to go back in time and live sustainably and reconnect with our planet in order to have a future.
"If not then it is survival of the fittest for the food we eat, the water we drink and the very air we breathe."
"The planet is on the brink. The risk is real. If we continue to consume and power our lives the way we do now then our forests, oceans and weather systems will collapse," the entrants said.
"We need to go back in time and live sustainably and reconnect with our planet in order to have a future.
"If not then it is survival of the fittest for the food we eat, the water we drink and the very air we breathe."
The creative duo worked on their striking ensemble with their teacher Charmaine Hetherton.
Speaking to the , Cnoc Mhuire said the school is ecstatic about the boys' exceptional achievement calling it a phenomenal success for the whole school and the town.
Principal Pauline Mc Brien said it was wonderful to see their work, talent and skill rewarded.
"The lads are quietly confident, unassuming and mannerly. They are both from Edgeworthstown and I know their families and communities are very proud of their amazing achievement as are we," said Ms Mc Brien.
And just like that, from Dublin winners to World Designer Of The Year. Just a fantastic achievement 👏 👏👏 https://t.co/uVl6UgdIKs
— Cnoc Mhuire (@CnocMhuire) January 11, 2023
The two have moved on to third-level education and their former principal is hopeful that this success will open new doors for them.
Ms Mc Brien also commended Ms Hetherton for the time and effort put in to the challenging project.
"Ms Hetherton puts in long hours every week after school, mentoring and guiding students to design and make their Junk Kouture outfits," she said.
"It is a huge commitment and dedication on her part and thus this award will mean the world to her."
Dedicated to encouraging creativity, self-expression, and spreading environmental awareness, this was the first time that the trailblazing sustainable fashion design competition had ever been held on a global stage.
Students were tasked with creating showstopping fashion designs out of 100% recycled materials: the teams showcased incredible outfits made from old and unwanted items as varied as plastic sanitary wrappers, a mannequin bust, ATM receipts, living moss — and even an old trampoline.
Other awards presented on the night included the ‘Cultural Couture Award’ which was won by Genevieve Keane with her design Acantha made from carpet, potato sacks and sheep wool from Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles.
And the Innovation Award went to Clodagh Ramsay of Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath and her ‘living’ design Bohemian Pampas Tree made from live moss, grasses, and pampas.
The expert judging panel featured Fabio Piras (Head of Fashion, Central St Martins, London), Lise Pierron (French fashion model and influencer), Mehreen Baig (broadcaster and author) and technical judge Dr Tracy Fahey (Head of Fine Art and Education, Limerick School of Art and Design, Ireland).
Wednesday's evening's final also featured performances from DJ Michelle, the youngest professional female DJ in the world, and Next In Line, the brand-new Irish boyband formed by Louis Walsh, the man behind Westlife, Boyzone and Girls Aloud.
- To enter Junk Kouture 2023, teachers of young creatives aged 13 to 18 are invited to head to the Junk Kouture website
Or Instagram account @junkkouture, TikTok @junkkouture and YouTube channel junkkouture
- Dublin City Designer of the Year and World Designer of the Year: Back to the Future consisting of Joshua Osabuehien, Solomon Eduard from Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School, Longford
- Abu Dhabi City Designer of the Year: The Desert Bloom team consisting of Angel Koshy, Vatsala Jain, Aum Sachin Tere and Divyam Varma; JSS Private School, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Paris City Designer of the Year: Marie en Jean team consisting of Nada Kharraki and Emilien Poulai from Lycée Ferdinand Buisson, Paris.
- Milan City Designer of the Year: Destroyed Fairy team consisting of Hiba Essafri, Matilda Xhaferraj and Ramatoulaye Badji from IIS “A. Checchi” in Fucecchio, Milan
- New York City Designer of the Year: Tree of Life team by Ísis de Farias Madeira from The High School of Fashion Industries, New York
- London City Designer of the Year: Jump for Joy by Orla Ni Eadhra from Inverness Royal Academy, Scotland
- The Purposeful Plastic Award was presented to Team La Catrina from International School of Béarn, Paris by Zuleykha Ismayilova
- The Junior Award was presented to Tree of Life team consisting of Adalyn Rae Fortenberry and Valentino CrisTorre from H Farm International School, Milan
- The Innovation Award was presented to Team Bohemian Pampas Tree by Clodagh Ramsey from Wilson’s Hospital School, Westmeath
- The Cultural Couture Award was presented to Genevieve Keane and Team Acantha from Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles
- The Glamour Award was presented to Team Madame Mystique from Dubai American Academy by Schahad Al Shirwani
- The Dare to Wear Award was presented to Team Spiralism from British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi by Iva Ajtoski
- The Wearable Art Award was presented to Team I Care from Lycée Professionnel Édouard Herriot, Paris consisting of Laure Claustres, Valentin Ruffat, Jérome Mahe and Viktor Edwige
- The Makeup Award was presented to Team Proserpina from GEMS Modern Academy by Sahana Vinoth and Avani Bhate
- The Best Performance Award was presented to Soaring High from Denmark Road High School, Gloucester, UK created by Grace Bowden Dominica Kodeesawaran and Annabelle Blackwell
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
