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Coláiste Nano Nagle TY students enter Junk Kouture 2019

Junk Kouture 2019- The students of Transition Year at Coláiste Nano Nagle who participated in Junk Kouture pictured with their teachers Sarah Nestor and Suzanna Donohoe. Picture: Orla McLaughlin/ilovelimerick.

Coláiste Nano Nagle inspired students enter Junk Kouture 2019

By I Love Limerick correspondent Sinead Fitzgibbon

Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture is a national competition for secondary school students which takes elements such as fashion, design, engineering and environmental sustainability and transforms them into a creative contest like no other. Hitting its ninth year running, Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture has already captivated over 24,000 students, 7,000 teachers and 100,000 audience members. Inspiring young designers in second level education to use everyday junk materials to create striking works of wearable art, the competition calls on all budding fashionistas to see if they have what it takes to be crowned King or Queen of the upcycled catwalk.

The students of Limerick’s Coláiste Nano Nagle are a fantastic example of these inspiring young designers. This year a total of 26 Home Economics and Art Transition Year students from Coláiste Nano Nagle took part in this year’s competition. They have entered 4 amazing outfits including “Wipe Out”, an outstanding piece from students, Nancy Ekhatur, Nikoletta Kozma and Leah Cosgrave. This magnificent outfit was inspired by Beyoncé and one of her outfits while she was on her ‘Formation Tour’ in 2016. This impressive masterpiece is one of the finalists for this year’s competition.

“Romeing in deNile” beautifully portrays ancient, Egyptian and Roman art and culture. Designer Abbey O’Keeffe used disposable hairdressing towels and used face and baby wipes which can also be recycled. The pants were made out of dyed towels which were then spray painted gold, and for the top Abbey had ‘many wipes sown together and then pleated and draped.’ Yet another beautiful outfit from Coláiste Nano Nagle that is one of this year’s well-deserved Junk Kouture 2019 finalist.

Junk Kouture 2019

Amanda Makulena wearing the Junk Kouture design ‘Swimming in Plastic’ at Coláiste Nano Nagle. Picture: Orla McLaughlin/ilovelimerick.

“Radiant Wonder” is a striking piece inspired by The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. The designers, Erin Birmingham, Natasha Amin and Natalia Chroniak were also inspired by Nicki Minaj and the bright colours that are incorporated into her performance outfits. The impressive underskirt was made out of hangers and masking tape. “Radiant Wonder” is hoping to be selected as one of the wild cards to get through to the finals.

“Swimming in Plastic” is screaming all things pop art and elements of the 60’s space-age designs. They were inspired by pop art and Roy Lichtenstein’s use of pop art. This outfit was made out of plastic inflatable swimming pools. I spoke to the designers Buki Adejomehim and Caitlin O’Dwyer and model Amanda Makulena who ‘felt that the bright colours from the swimming pools would represent pop art well and make it stand out.’ These talented girls put a lot of thought and hard work into this outfit and are also hoping to be selected as one of the wild cards.                                                

Junk Kouture 2019

Erin Berming wearing the Junk Kouture design ‘Radiant Wonder’ at Coláiste Nano Nagle. Picture: Orla McLaughlin/ilovelimerick.

Teachers Suzanna Donohoe and Sarah Nestor supported the girl’s right from the start as they encouraged them to ‘think outside the box’. Suzanna and Sarah highlighted the importance of teamwork between the girls as they all had something unique to contribute. The students of Coláiste Nano Nagle learned useful skills while taking part in Junk Kouture 2019, including, design, social media, photography and makeup. They were also able to show their sowing and fabric manipulation skills which are taught through Home Economics.

Both “Radiant Wonder and “Swimming in Plastic” need your help to reach the finals. If you have a spare minute go to https://app.junkkouture.com and register to vote! Voting closes Friday, February 15 at 12 pm. The grand finale of Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2019 will take place Thursday, May 2 in the 3Arena.

 

 

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Pictures: Orla McLaughlin/ilovelimerick

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.