Coláiste Rís shone at Junk Kouture finale

COLÁISTE Rís students celebrated winning the BOI Junk Kouture eastern region competition

The Dundalk students were among eighty secondary school students sporting their stunning couture designs fashioned from junk at the 3Arena Dublin last week, competing at the grand finale of Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture.

After months of preparations the talented teenagers strutted the catwalk with their carefully choreographed routine in the hope of impressing the judges in front of thousands of screaming fans in Ireland’s largest indoor venue.

It was Coláiste Rís second time competing in the national finals along with their teacher Mardeen Mc Caughey and where represented by three designs, ‘Can You See Me Now’, ‘Wonka’s Wonder’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’.

Pandora’s Box created by Emma Duffy, Chloe Murden and Grainne Byrne took to the stage delivering a mind boggling deeply important message of self-worth and promoting mental health awareness. With a strong reference to the glamour and highly intricate detailing of Dolce & Gabbana ‘ Sparkling Night’ collection this design used decorative wall paper, with luxe brocades in subtle pastel colours and hints of brilliant gold. Broken pieces of jewellery, shells, pearls, chains, buttons and even old pieces of furniture combine to create a unique dress in the shape of a jewellery box. The shoes are highly embellished with strips of pearls in metallic tones and the forever piece statement necklace is draped across a bare décolletage., creating a truly fairy-tale finish.

As part of winning the title of Junk Kouture Eastern Winner 2017, the students of Coláiste Rís appeared on the Late Late Show on Friday night, Emma Duffy was interviewed by Ryan Tubridy and explained the design is used to promote mental health awareness.

With over 52,000 views on Facebook the students are thrilled to have promoted such a positive message nationwide.

The talented trio and their teacher have won an all expenses paid trip to France where Pandora’s Box will appear on the red carpet at the opening of the Cannes film festival later this month!