Today sees the call out for entrants for the prestigious Bank of Ireland UK Junk Kouture Recycling Fashion Competition 2015 in association with Repak. The all-Ireland secondary school competition was launched today by model, blogger and former Miss Northern Ireland Tiffany Brien wearing a dress entitled Vintage Breakfast designed by students from St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena which made it to 2014’s Grand Final in the O2 Arena, and which gives future entrants a taster of what to expect from Junk Kouture 2015.

Tiffany returned to her alma mater at Methodist College in Belfast to showcase the dress to potential entrants from the school’s art department alongside young designer Julia Sokele who jumped to the challenge of working alongside Tiffany to create an outfit in time for the closing date of 31 January 2015.

Earlier this month model and TV presenter Vogue Williams was announced as a brand new judge for the competition, following in the footsteps of TV stylist Darren Kennedy, Rosanna Davison, and international model Faye Dinsmore.

Commenting on the launch, Allan Kelly, Senior Marketing Manager at Bank of Ireland UK, said “We're absolutely delighted to be sponsoring Junk Kouture for the third year running.  The competition has a unique way of empowering young people to hone their creative skills and meet others with similar interests.  Bank of Ireland UK’s sponsorship of the competition gives us a great opportunity to meet with our school partners and customers and to celebrate the artistic flair and talent of some of the most bold and innovative young people in Northern Ireland.”

Laura Murphy from Repak added: “We are delighted to announce our support for Junk Kouture, a programme that doesn’t just inspire outstanding creativity in young people, but also highlights the importance of environmentally aware behaviour and mindfulness of how much we consume and how much we throw away. As a judge, I’m really looking forward to seeing how the students reinvent old plastics and turn them into couture!”

The recycled fashion competition, now in its fifth year, is open to all secondary school students in both the Republic and Northern Ireland. As with previous years there will be four regional heats; The Helix, Dublin 06 March 2015, Millennium Forum, Derry on 09 March 2015, The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on 11 March 2015 and University Concert Hall, Limerick, on 13 March. The Grand Final featuring the top 80 dresses will take place in the 3Arena, Dublin on 24 April 2015.

With some great prizes on offer, the clock is now ticking for students and teachers alike to get creative. Online applications will open on 12 January 2015 and close at midnight 31 January 2015.

For further information and entry criteria visit: www.junkkouture.com or www.facebook/junkkouture.com Alternatively, please email

[email protected]

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Issued on behalf of Junk Kouture by CMPR. For further information please contact Cathy Martin or Lucy McIlwane on 02890421509 or 07823882095; or via [email protected] and [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

About Junk Kouture: Junk Kouture was created in 2010 by entrepreneurs Elizabeth O’Donnell and Troy Armour. The competition places a great emphasis on recycling and re-using junk materials in an exciting and creative way, resulting in spectacular and creative work gracing the catwalk shows.

Each entry/outfit must be made from reworked trash or other materials that are beyond their intended purpose. A maximum of three students can work on each outfit. The outfit must be submitted by 31 January 2015 to qualify. Please see www.junkkouture.com for more details.

Postal Entries to:

ROI: Junk Kouture, 47 Upper Main Street, Buncrana, Co.Donegal

NI: Junk Kouture, 98 Thornhill Park, Culmore Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 8PB

Telephone Enquiries for Entries:

+353 (0)74 93 20220 or +353 (0)86 40 08784

Dresses pictured:

Tiffany’s dress is called Vintage Breakfast, it was designed by students Catherine Lennon, Claire Lagan and Ciara McGilligan from St. Louis Grammar School in Ballymena

The Prizes and Awards

• Winning School: €2,500 cash
• Winning Team: iPad Minis for the winning team and their teacher + €500 cash
• Bank of Ireland Glamour Prize: 2 Dresses/Outfits and their models will be chosen to attend The Royal Film Premiere in London.
• Repak Prize: A prize will be presented to the design that best incorporates ‘Packaging’.
• LSAD Scholarship Prize (terms and conditions apply)
• Regional Finalist Prize
• Runner-up Prize
• Best Hair and Make-up Prize
• Best Performance
• Most Enterprising Team Award
• Best Dressed Award (this award will be presented to the best recycled dressed audience member)