Cookstown student makes all-Ireland Junk Kouture final with her beautiful bin-bag creation

A young Cookstown designer has made it through to the Ireland-wide final of the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture competition with a bin-bag dress.
18 of the 20 Northern Regional Finalists celebrate as they go through to the Grand Finale in Dublin18 of the 20 Northern Regional Finalists celebrate as they go through to the Grand Finale in Dublin
18 of the 20 Northern Regional Finalists celebrate as they go through to the Grand Finale in Dublin

Maria Nasolini’s creation, which she has dubbed ‘Glamorous Trash’, was made with black bin-bags embellished with an eclectic gold design.

Modelled by fellow student Meghan Loughran at the regional final of the competition on March 9 in Derry, the daring design beat scores of entries to become one of Northern Ireland’s 18 finalists.

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Speaking to the Mail about winning a coveted place in the Junk Kouture final, A-Level Art student Maria said: “I was delighted, I am actually really happy.

“Only 18 dresses out of 80 got through.”

A spokesperson for Holy Trinity School said the school is also ecstatic at Maria’s success.

“Maria’s creation, ‘Glamorous Trash’, modelled by fellow student Meghan Loughran, was a standout entry on the night and will represent her school and community in the Grand Final in the 3 Arena, Dublin on 24 April,” said a spokesperson.

“Staff and pupils would like to congratulate Maria and wish her good luck for the Final.”

Maria Nasolini's design is modelled by fellow Holy Trinity student Meghan Loughran on the Junk Kouture catwalkMaria Nasolini's design is modelled by fellow Holy Trinity student Meghan Loughran on the Junk Kouture catwalk
Maria Nasolini's design is modelled by fellow Holy Trinity student Meghan Loughran on the Junk Kouture catwalk
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The Bank Of Ireland Junk Kouture competition has seen thousands of teenagers’ work submitted over the past four years, with some spectacular and awe-inspiring pieces taking to the competition’s regional and national catwalks. 

Sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK and Repak, a packaging compliance scheme, Junk Kouture is the leading fashion and art competition for second level school students across Ireland and has a reputation, among many, as being the most creative.

Junk Kouture founder, Elizabeth O’Donnell said: “As with all the regional finals, we really look forward to seeing the designs come to life on the catwalk.

“From the talent and innovation of the students from across the whole of the north, to the electric atmosphere created by the crowd, the Northern Regional Final is always one to watch!”

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The Grand Final is taking place in 3 Arena, Dublin on April 24, 2015. For further details see junkkouture.com

What Maria had to say...

“I was inspired by Beyonce’s dress that she wore at the Grammys - it was black and gold,” she told the Mail. “The dress had like a lace design and I just thought it would be nice.”

As for the process of designing and making the dress, the Holy Trinity lower sixth said it took her one hour to come up with the design and about a week to make her ‘Glamourous Trash’ dress.

“I used duct tape for the corsets and then used toilet paper, then painted it black,” but she said she also used “material and beads” on the front.

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When asked where she got the materials she added: “I went to a charity shop and asked if they had anything they didn’t want and used it on my dress.

“To stick the beads on to the dress it took me two days.”

After its last appearance on the catwalk, Maria’s creation will become part of the budding designer’s A-Level portfolio.

“I want to go to Art School,” she said.

Maria’s model at the Junk Kouture final is third year Holy Trinity student Meghan Loughran. Speaking about her role she said: “It was great - they didn’t have a model so they asked me.”

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