Tipperary students to represent Ireland at World Junk Kouture competition

Congratulations to the Ursuline Junk Kouture team, Vision Zero, who have qualified for the World Final.

This is the third consecutive year that a team from the Ursuline Thurles will be competing on the world stage in the foremost sustainable fashion competition.

The trio of Christina Whelan, Tara Johnson and Caitlín Cussen will be up against schools from the United States, England, Dubai, Italy and France.

The girls were inspired to design their dress around the theme of road safety after their model Christina was in a serious accident as a child.

The resplendent purple and black gown and trail was made using seat belts, wire and high viz jackets.

They incorporated a macramé knotting effect into the skirt to create a figure-hugging fishtail design.
Christina’s show-stopping performance had lots of swish and swing, producing a dramatic effect as she moved on them catwalk.

Vision Zero was chosen along with nine other designs to represent Ireland at the World Final next year.

The Ursuline had another dress competing at the National Final at the RDS last Tuesday. Race to the Finish was made by Anna O’Callaghan, Sophie Quirke and Julia McHugh.

Women in horse racing was their main influence, and in their outfit, they used equine and farm materials, complete with a horseshoe headdress.

Well done on both UCT teams who qualified out of 1,200 entries to make it to the Grand Final and to Vision Zero on being in the top ten of young designers in the country chosen to exhibit their unique dress on a global stage.

Full Caption: The Ursuline Thurles Junk Kouture team of Tara Johnson, Caitlín Cussen and Christina Whelan who will represent Ireland in the World Final of the sustainable fashion competition with their creation Vision Zero. Their dress, made from seatbelts and high viz reflective materials emphasis the importance of being seen and safe on Irish roads, a fitting reminder to all pedestrians and cyclists during Irish Road Safety Week which runs from October7-13.