Fashion Design Scholarship awarded to Synergy at Junk Kouture 2020
Last night, Thursday 5th February, we were so happy to award Robyn O’Donnell of Carndonagh Community School, Donegal, a scholarship for our coveted BA (Hons) in Fashion Design.
The scholarship was presented by regular Junk Kouture judge and Programme Director for Fashion Design at Griffith College, Jane Leavey. Inspired by Elie Saab and his iconic fish tail dresses, the winning project named ‘Synergy’ was made entirely from sea glass, recycled glass and plastic milk cartons. Petals were individually cut from discarded plastic milk cartons and sea glass smashed into fine pieces and sprinkled on top of PVA glue created the garment’s distinguished panels.
Originally scheduled for April 2020 in Dublin's 3Arena, the sustainable fashion competition was televised for the first time in its ten-year history as a result of the pandemic.
Jane said of the event “Every year I am so impressed by the standard of the entries and the commitment to the competition from these young designers. 2020 was a difficult year for all students but I have been blown away by the level of craftsmanship and creativity demonstrated by this year’s entrants. It really is incredible given the circumstances in which they worked.
Synergy is a great sustainable design - so beautifully crafted and the level of workmanship made it a standout as a winning design and a deserving winner of the Griffith College Scholarship. It is very much a red-carpet design and very Couture!”
Other entries included 'Givin’ It Welly' made from recycled wellies and materials from the team’s farms, and 'Barking Up the Wrong Tree' made from forest materials and inspired by the natural world and the threat to biodiversity and ecosystems.
Well done to Robyn our winner, Jane our judge and to all of this year’s entrants and finalists! For those who missed it, the live show is available on RTE player.