Limerick students to represent Ireland at Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi

FROM Limerick to Abu Dhabi, students and teachers from Coláiste Nano Nagle will represent Ireland in the world’s largest sustainable youth fashion competition.

With their team, Ode to Joy, the Limerick school will take part in the first-ever Junk Kouture World Final 2022 in the Etihad Arena this Wednesday, January 11.

In a bid to offer students aged between 13 and 18 a creative way to become involved in active climate change initiatives, Junk Kouture challenges young people to design, upcycle and create high-end clothes from recycled ‘junk’ before representing their school on stages across the world.

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Made up of three students, Somaia Anwari, Jadine Fitzpatrick and Maha Shahzadi, Team Ode to Joy is mentored by Arts teacher, Sarah Nestor. With their creation, the hard-working students hope to highlight the efforts of the European Union in their fight against climate change.

Speaking of the theme of the sustainable creation, Coláiste Nano Nagle teacher Catherine Cantillon said the outfit represents the European Union.

“It’s made up of plastic shoe covers, tin foil, old bedsheets, builders mesh and cable ties,” Ms Cantillon explained.

“The dress looks amazing, it’s definitely something you’d wear yourself.”

It’s the most beautiful thing, it’s gorgeous – a showstopper.”

Commenting on the production of garments in Ireland, she noted: “I suppose in the circular economy, it allows us to re-think what fashion is, and it’s now evolving, and probably in a way in which we are more mindful of our planet than we’ve ever been before.”