The Junk Kouture top prize for 2016 is coming to Athlone, after a group of students from Our Lady's Bower were crowned the overall winners in this year's fashion competition.
The winning dress, entitled 'Jewel of Nylon', was designed by Bower students Eleanor Dwyer, Jennifer Siak, Emma Clarke, and modelled by Eleanor in last week's grand final.
Influenced and inspired by early 20th century attire, the stunning 'Jewel of Nylon' creation was made entirely from crocheted and knitted recycled ladies tights.
The winner was announced at the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture Grand Final, which took place in 3Arena in Dublin last Thursday in front of judges including Louis Walsh and Vogue Williams.
It is the second time in six years that students from Our Lady's Bower have earned the national title.
The team take home the top prize of €2,500 for their school, as well as €500 for the team members, and an iPad Mini for each team member and their teacher.
An impressive 11 entries from Athlone and Moate secured their places in the grand final of the 2016 Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture competition - six from Our Lady's Bower, five from Moate Community School, and one from Athlone Community College.
Another Bower entry, 'Going Nuts' by Rachael Barrington, Kathleen Flynn, and Ashley Cahill, and 'Stop Rewind Play' by Moate Community School students Lauren Allen, Niamh O'Connor, and Aoife King scooped Bank of Ireland 'Glamour' awards.
Another entry from Moate, 'Aztechnology' by Fiona Kelly, Áine Healy, and Jor-El McLoughlin, found success at the awards, winning the CoderDojo award.
Junk Kouture is a national contest which encourages young designers in second level education to create stunning couture designs and impressive works of wearable art from everyday junk that would normally find its way into the bin.
Over 1,150 designs were entered into this year's competition, with 320 of these chosen to compete in the regional finals in early March, and just 80 battling it out at last week's grand final.
