A young Buncrana designer was a shining star at an exciting event for Junk Kouture in the French city of Cannes this week.
George Houston, a former student of Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, appeared on the pink carpet at the MIPTV Festival along with four other alumni of the fashion upcycling competition. Junk Kouture was awarded the first MIP SDG Innovation Award for Climate Action by RX France, celebrating the impact of their creative integrated programme engaging the world’s youth.
The award was accepted by Troy Armour, Founder and CEO of Junk Kouture, a native of Buncrana who now lives in Derry.
Armour invited models and designers from previous competitions to take to the stage to showcase to the audience what Junk Kouture is all about.
Junk Kouture CEO Troy Armour with students (from left) George Houston-Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, Alicia Rostermundt – École, Enniscorthy , Ally Griffin-Colaiste Nano Nagle, Limerick, Londiwe Ndlovu -Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone and Samanta Makulena -Colaiste Nano Nagle, Limerick as Junk Kouture was honoured with the MIP SDG Innovation Award for Climate Action at the MIPTV Festival in Cannes
Picture Brian McEvoy
George’s design, debuted in 2019, is inspired by 60s and 70s rock ’n roll artists like The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Queen. All the outfit is exempt from glue and is 100% crafted. The trousers took 3 months to construct and the patterns on the jacket and jeans are George’s own. Through the costume, he is reflecting on the changing world of music by remembering the legends that inspire him.
Armour commented: “Junk Kouture gives GenZ the tools and creative space to become sustainability ambassadors, as they find their way to contribute towards the UN SDGS be it by sourcing 63,000 aluminium ring pulls or manipulating orange peel into leather to create haute couture, they are the circular engineers of tomorrow.
“We have had incredible support from our committed partners such as RTÉ through broadcast, award activations and social media support and also Creative Ireland in the development of our education hub, allowing us to continuously develop Junk Kouture’s offering both on and off-screen.
“We’re extremely honoured to be recognised for our contribution towards the SDGs by MIPTV, especially as we commence our 6-city tour next month, continuing to drive change through innate creativity.”
Students Samanta Makulena -Colaiste Nano Nagle,Limerick, Ally Griffin-Colaiste Nano Nagle, Limerick, George Houston-Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, Londiwe Ndlovu -Our Lady’s Bower Athlone, and Alicia Rostermundt – École, Enniscorthy as Junk Kouture was honoured with the MIP SDG Innovation Award for Climate Action at the MIPTV Festival in Cannes
Picture Brian McEvoy
Founded in Ireland in 2010, Junk Kouture has so-far engaged with over 100,000 participants, produced 15,000 distinctive designs and amazed packed crowds at 60 sold-out arena shows. Now, after 12 incredible years in operation, Junk Kouture has gone global.
With over 1,000 schools actively participating in the programme, the message of Junk Kouture is already spreading rapidly, and the World Tour will allow it to expand even further, giving more young people the chance to express their creativity and impact climate change, no matter where they live or where they come from.
Junk Kouture Powered by RTÉ Dublin City Final takes place in Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 5th May.