Local team wins Junk Kouture wildcard final entry

A West Offaly project today received a coveted Wildcard ticket to the Junk Kouture Grand Final.

In early March, 75 entries were selected from around the country to appear at the grand final in 3Arena. For those who did not qualify, there was still hope that they would be thrown a lifeline to represent their school with the RTÉ 2FM Junk Kouture Wildcard selection.

Today, Junk Kouture has revealed the winners of the remaining five final – which were awarded to one team from each of the five regions.

From the Western Region, Bee Gold by Moya Ibbotson, Katie Flynn, Moya Guinan of Gallen Community School, Ferbane, received the wildcard ticket to the Grand Final.

Bee Gold by Moya Ibbotson, Katie Flynn, Moya Guinan utilised election posters, more election posters, and old junk from home!

One of the team members live on a farm, from which the girls sourced old chicken wire for the headpiece and the inside of the silage wrap for the trail. All three of the team contributed old black jeans – a staple in every girl’s wardrobe! These were cut into feather like strips and used for the body of the dress, alongside the hexagon shapes! They used an old curtain which was recycled from one of their homes for the base of the dress, and also collected corks and newspapers which were papier Mache and used for the headpiece along with the air vent tube.

Bee Gold raises awareness about the importance of honeybees, as they are an integral part of our environment. The midlands are surrounded by natural landscapes, such as the bog. As climate change is so topical right now, the team felt that creating this dress would give them an opportunity to promote sustainability and protection of natural environments, inspiring their honeybee theme. Due to a connection with a a printing company, the team were able to source misprinted elections posters for the hexagons, using these to highlight the government’s lack of protection for honeybees in Ireland.

The final, although postponed for now, will still take place in 3Arena this autumn, celebrating 10 years of Junk Kouture, powered by RTÉ.