Sligo students excel in junk fashion feast
THREE Sligo creations have been chosen among the 80 finalists in the Western Regional finals of Junk Kouture.
The Western Regional finals will take place in Castlebar on March 9th, and will be hosted by Ed and Fitzy from iRadio.
Eighty talented students will showcase their couture creations made from rubbish and recycled materials in a performance accompanied by music.
Two of the entries were from Ursuline College, Sligo – “Whole New Gear” and “El Sol Superiores”. Both teams from Ursuline were mentored by their art teacher Gabriel Gilmartin.
Mercy College Sligo’s design “Twist Top” is through to the regional finals, they were helped along the way by their art teacher Ms Lynch.
The regional finals have a strong judging panel with main judges Tracy Fahey ( L. S. A. D Educator), Lorna Mc Gee ( Vogue India) and Rob Condon ( stylist) joined by previous winner Sara Griffin who has first- hand experience of competing in the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture competition and understands the pressures and challenges of the regional finalists.
Louis Walsh and Vogue Williams are set to join the panel for the Grand Final in the 3 Arena on April 14th for what promises to be a fashion extravaganza.
Three Sligo Grammar School students reached the grand finals of the competition in 2015 with their ‘ Sea- cycled’ entry.
The public can get involved by casting a vote for their favourite design through the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture voting app, or the Facebook page.
With almost 3,000 students, the competition has seen the greatest number of entries to date, making the judging process the toughest yet.
The teams will be competing to earn their place in the grand finals in the hope of walking away with the top prize of € 2,500 for their school, iPad Minis and € 500 cash for the team.
This year’s contestants could also be in with a chance to win a trip to the Royal Film Premiere in London or even a Scholarship to attend the Limerick School of Art and Design.
This year has seen the introduction of two news prizes – “Most Unusual Material Prize” and “CoderDojo Techno/ Wearables Prize”. Tickets are on sale now from www. theroyal. ie or from The Royal box office.