Students enjoy design success

Celine McKnight and Catherine Simpson from Newbridge Integrated College in Loughbrickland received the good news on Friday, February 13 that they are through to the regional final of the prestigious Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture competition for their eye-catching designs, Alice In Wonderland and Corneille Noire respectively.

Elizabeth Curran, co-founder of Junk Kouture said: “Congratulations to all semi-finalists of the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture Recycled Fashion Competition in association with Repak 2015.

“The standard this year was exceptionally high which made our decisions extremely difficult and the number of entries this year was even greater than years before.

“We are really looking forward to our live shows across the country and we hope everyone will come support their local talent.”

Sean Sheehan, Regional Director, NI Consumer & Small Business for Bank of Ireland said: “This is our fourth year with Junk Kouture, and we’re very proud to have played a part in growing it from a great initial idea, to one of the biggest fashion events in the country.

“The fact that Junk Kouture reaches virtually every corner of the country is a great fit with the regional, nationwide nature of our business.

And along with sport and youth enterprise, this fun and creative project really broadens our offering to schools and students.”

Once on the catwalk they will be judged by Junk Kouture’s expert judges who are responsible for finding and crowning the winner of the prestigious fashion competition including model and fashionista Vogue Williams, stylist and television presenter Rob Condon, art and design educator Tracy Fahey and Repak marketing and communications manager Laura Murphy.

In addition, Heather O’Connor, a previous winner in the Southern regional finals, will feature to help judge and select which finalists will go through to the grand finale.