Three local students taking part in Junk Kouture world final in Abu Dhabi

Three local students are this afternoon taking part in the world final of Junk Kouture in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Katie Molloy, Eimear Keenan and Samantha Irwin, who hail from Tubber and Ballycumber, are representing Moate Community School and Ireland at the prestigious first-ever global final of Junk Kouture.

Their project, Tale of Two Pods, was one of ten qualifiers from the Dublin nation final of Junk Kouture to reach the world final.

The ten Irish finalists will join ten from each of Paris, New York, Milan, London and Abu Dhabi at the world final ceremony today, at which each of the 60 finalists will showcase their design on stage.

Junk Kouture is open to 13-18-year-olds and challenges young people to design, upcycle and create high end Kouture from recycled Junk, before showcasing their design and representing their school on stages across the world.

The team, under the supervision of teacher Pamela Keogh, had this to say about their project,: “The Tale of Two Pods, or in this case over 3000, symbolises the power of connection. Each individual pod represents its own story, a story shared over the cup of coffee these pods supplied. Whether it was to complain about the weather, sharing the news of a new arrival, the latest figures on Covid, or the sad account of a dear one’s departure, each pod tells a tale. During the pandemic, sharing our stories became even more vital for our human connection. Our dress celebrates the power of a story shared."

The design is made from over 3000 used coffee pods, a broken umbrella, old heels and an old debs dress.

There are a number of awards to be announced at today's final, which will conclude at around 5.45pm Irish time, including the overall World Designer of the Year Award, a designer of the year award for each of the six city finals