Junk Kouture is a television fashion competition for post-primary school students, where participants design, create and model fashion, made from recycled items. The competition has run in Ireland, since it was founded in 2010, by Troy Armour. The annual Grand Finale has been held in the 3Arena, Dublin since 2015.
The current holder of the Junk Kouture Overall Winner for 2021 is 'Iconoclastic Fantastic' – created by Alicia Rostermundt from Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy.
Junk Kouture launched in New York, London and Abu Dhabi in 2021, with competitions opening in September 2021 for each of these new cities.
Competition
Junk Kouture 2010-2019
Junk Kouture was created in 2010 by businessman Troy Armour, from Buncrana, County Donegal. Inspired by similar initiatives being run by schools throughout Ireland, Armour explored how to bring these initiatives to a live setting with a performance aspect brought into the mix. The first edition of Junk Kouture saw the competition hold regional finals throughout Ireland, in Derry, Naas, Athlone and Clonmel, before the first Grand Final took place in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin. Judges for the first competition were a selection of local designers and hairdressers, and the first winner was Urban Armour – a design created from aluminium drinks cans and ring pulls, by Grainne Wilson from Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel.
In 2012, venue sizes were increased, with locations including the Europa Hotel, Belfast, The Crown Plaza, Blanchardstown, Hudson Bay, Athlone and The Strand, Limerick, with the Grand Final moving to the Citywest Hotel, Dublin. New judges were also brought in for the second instalment, with stylist and presenter Angela Scanlon and designer Zoe Boomer being part of the panel. Lady Data was crowned Overall Winner – a design created out of recycled computer parts including circuit boards and keyboard keys, by students from Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy - Sarah Greene, Michaela Doyle and Kelly Bolger. This edition also saw the introduction of new prize categories including the Glamour Prize, the winners of which travelled to London to appear at the Royal Film Performance of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and to Cannes for the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2013, Junk Kouture shows were moved from hotels to theatres – Millennium Forum, Derry; The Helix, Dublin; The Royal Theatre, Castlebar; and University of Limerick's Concert Hall. Junk Kouture also moved its Grand Final to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin for the first time. Judges included presenter Darren Kennedy and model Faye Dinsmore. Students Ceile Corbett, Annie Corbett, Shannon McCarthy from Coláiste Iosaef, Kilmallock were crowned Overall Winners with their design Ultra Violet Wash – created from clothes pegs and lint found in the filters of dryers.
In 2014, after the completion of Regional Finals, tickets went on sale for the Grand Final to be held in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, only to sell-out in a number of hours. The demand resulted in the Grand Final being moved to the 3Arena, Dublin. X-Factor judge and music manager Louis Walsh and former Miss World Rosanna Davison joined the judging panel, whilst TV presenter Glenda Gilson took the reins as show host. Students from Our Lady's Bower, Athlone - Ruth Gallagher, Jane Wallace, Emma Kinsella were announced as Overall Winners for their design Pine-A-Colada, created from old rope, pine cones and dried pineapple.
In 2015, the competition format continued with four regional finals around Ireland, as well as the Grand Final being held in the 3Arena. There was further changes to the judging panel, with TV personality Vogue Williams and celebrity stylist Rob Condon replacing Darren Kennedy and Rosanna Davison. Roscommon-native Luke McEvoy from Elphin Community College, took home the Overall Winners prize for his design Le Paon Majestueux, made from chicken wire, old magazines, aluminium and peacock feathers. In doing so, Luke became the first male to be crowned Overall Winner of Junk Kouture.