Bank of Ireland last Friday announced the regional finalists for Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2016. Now in its sixth year, Ireland’s leading fashion and art competition for secondary schools challenges students to create unique, original, and innovative outfits from recycled materials and junk. Open to students nationwide, entries for 2016 surpassed all expectations making it the biggest competition to date.
Bank of Ireland staff from Ballinrobe, Ballina, and Castlebar branches surprised student designers from Ballinrobe Community School, St Mary's Secondary School, Ballina, and St Joseph's, Castlebar, with precious silver tickets, which secures them a place in the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture Western Regional final taking place on Wednesday March 9.
The students from Mayo who made it through to the regional finals were, Allannah Duffy, Amy Keane, and Roisin O'Brien from Ballinrobe Community School for their entry The Devil wears Cow Meats. From St Mary's Secondary School in Ballina, Shouna Cunningham, Tiegan Neary, and Elizabeth Maughan made the regional final for their entry Floribunda, and Una Togher, Anna Coll, Rachel Barrett from St Joseph's, Castlebar, for their entry Beccara Bandini.
Laura Lynch, head of youth banking at Bank of Ireland, said: “The calibre of entries for this year’s competition has been fantastic and the judging panel had a very tough job choosing the top 80 from each region. With every entry being uniquely choreographed to music, we are really excited to see the models bring their designs to life on stage at the regional finals. We wish everyone the best of luck with the next stage of the competition and remind finalists to get innovative about how they gather support through the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture voting app.”
