19 April 2016
Jewel of the Nylon crowned the winner of the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2016
The overall Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture winner for 2016 was announced as Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone took the coveted prize at Dublin’s 3Arena on Thursday night. Jewel of the Nylon modelled by Eleanor Dwyer and designed by Jennifer Siak and Emma Clarke, was made from crocheted and knitted recycled ladies tights after contesting in the Western final in early March.
Jewel of the Nylon was picked from 80 finalists and competed against over 1,100 total entries to win the competition. The school received €2,500 and each team member won an iPad mini and a €500 cash prize.
Jewel of the Nylon did well to impress the star studded judging panel; made up of model, fashionista and presenter Vogue Williams, guru to the stars Louis Walsh, renowned stylist Rob Condon, Vogue India’s fashion editor Lorna McGee and art and design educator Tracey Fahey. The judges had the unenviable task of choosing the overall winner of 2016’s Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture after choosing a winner from each region.
Northern Winner: Anthropocene modelled by Mariusz Malon from Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, Co. Donegal. The design symbolizes power and the new period of time Anthropocene. Main materials used in this design were; anti slip plastic from H.E room and scrap metals, plastics and glass all found in an abandoned factory
The student designers from St. Mary’s High School including Cliodhna Hollywood, Lauren Mulligan and Angelika Dabrowska were highly commended for their creation ‘Miss Dystopia’. Additionally, Alicia Francisco and Maria Nosolini, students from Holy Trinity School, Cookstown were highly praised for their imaginative ‘Nubian Queen’ design.
Southern Winner: You’re Not My Type modelled by Ellen McDonald Presentation De La Salle College, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. The design was inspired by the challenges all Type 1 Diabetics face every day of their lives. The materials used to create this masterpiece are approximately a years’ worth of a diabetics life support. This exquisite ensemble represents strength, endurance, bravery and character.
Eastern Winner: Tribute to Ziggy Stardust modelled by Rebecca McNally St. Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow. This outfit is a tribute to the one and only David Bowie. The main materials used in the design were Paper shopping bags, old scraps of material, Broken CDs, netting, magazines and wire hangers.
Western Winner: Jewel of the Nylon (As above, overall winner)
Bank of Ireland Glamour Prize x 1:
Name: Going Nuts
School: Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone
Model name: Rachel Barrington
Made from: Raisins, pistachios and pumpkin seeds
Bank of Ireland Glamour Prize x 2:
Name: Stop Rewind Play
School: Moate Community School, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Model name: Lauren Allen
Made from: Film from video tapes, floppy discs
LSAD Scholarship Prize:
Name: Anthropocene
School: Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Model name: Mariusz Malon
Made from: Anti slip plastic, scrap metals, plastics and glass
Best Hair & Make-Up Prize:
Name: Ethereal Dreams
School: Loreto Secondary School
Model name: Dagmara Dobkowska
Made from: Toilet rolls, silver plastic bags, crushed glass and recycled jewellery
Best Performance Prize:
Name: Smash It!
School: Colaiste Bríd, Carnew, Co. Wicklow
Model name: Orla Bass
Made from: Shuttlecocks and mosque tiles
Bank of Ireland Enterprise Award:
Name: Amberle
School: Dunshaughlin Community College, Co. Meath
Model name: Olivia Flanagan
Made from: Titanium cans, glitter
Most Unusual Material Award:
Name: #NotLikeTheUdders
School: Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, Co. Kildare
Model name: Megan Colville
Made from: Cow tags, wellies and a ball & chain
CoderDojo Award:
Name: Aztechnology
School: Moate Community School, Moate, Co. Westmeath
Model name: Fiona Kelly
Made from: Geometric stamps, lego and keys
Elizabeth Curran co-founder of the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture described the level of creativity at this year’s competition as “amazing” she continued “every year the students astonish us with the calibre of their work and this year is no exception. The judges had a very hard decision in choosing just one overall winner but I’m really looking forward to seeing what he/she goes on to do in the future” she said.
Students have been working tirelessly since the beginning of the school year putting together and creating their concept pieces. They faced the challenge of transforming recycled materials into haute couture outfits suitable for a foray down the catwalk. All finalists put on an impressive show in the country’s largest indoor venue before thousands of screaming fans.
Sean Sheehan, Regional Director, NI Consumer and Small Business; “We were blown away by the exceptional talent of all of our young student designers in tonight’s Grand Final. The creations were simply awe-inspiring, and the performances exceeded all expectations. The entire audience were on their feet for most of the night which is a real tribute to every one of our finalists.
As part of our ‘Make Money Matter’ programme for schools, we are thrilled to support a competition which provides young students with the opportunity to channel their passion and creative ability in such a vibrant and unique fashion. There are many stages on the path to the Grand Final and a huge thanks goes out to the teachers, parents, families and friends who provided such massive support to our young students on their journey; I have no doubt you are all very proud tonight. On behalf of Bank of Ireland, I would like to congratulate all of our competition winners, thank everyone who entered and wish all of our young designers the very best of luck in their future fashion careers.”
For further information, please log on to the website: www.junkkouture.com or visit us over on Facebook www.facebook.com/junkkouture or Twitter: twitter.com/junkkouture
Pictured with other finalists from Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2016 are runners up ‘Nubian Queen’ (second from left) designed by students from Holy Trinity School, Cookstown and ‘Miss Dystopia’ created by students from St. Mary’s High School, Newry (second from right). Overall winner, Jewel of the Nylon pictured on far right.
Pictured amongst the finalists of Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2016 are runners up ‘Nubian Queen’ (third from left) designed by students from Holy Trinity School, Cookstown and ‘Miss Dystopia’ (third from right) created by students from St. Mary’s High School, Newry. Overall winner, Jewel of the Nylon pictured fourth from right.
For further information please contact: Lindsey Holmes Publicity
Mary@lhpublicity.ie or 0872587365
Notes to the editor:
Prizes:
Overall Winner – The winners’ school receives €2,500, each member of the team will receive a cash prize of €500 and a mini iPad
Bank of Ireland Glamour Prize – Two models will be flown to London for the Royal Film Premiere
LSAD Scholarship Prize – The winner will get a place on the prestigious Limerick School of Art and Design and get their fees paid for a year
Best Hair and Makeup Prize – Blank Canvas Vouchers
Best Performance Prize – Ticketmaster Vouchers
Bank of Ireland Enterprise Award – An Enterprise award trophy and one4all Vouchers
Most Unusual Material Award – ASOS Voucher
CoderDojo Prize (technology in design) – A CoderDojo trophy and an iPad for each member of the winning team