The winning team from Carndonagh Community School.
CARNDONAGH Community School (CCS) has earned a credible reputation at the popular secondary school competition Junk Kouture over several years.
But on Friday, May 2, the school hit new heights in the competition which showcased 80 designs made entirely of recycled and junk materials.
With three entries remaining by CCS in the Northern Section of the Grand Final, Tickled by Metallic Glamour (Roisin Doherty, Model, Sinead McGonigle, Annemarie Brennan), La Fraca (Eimear McLaughlin, Model, Aoife McLaughlin, Annah Lafferty) and Blonde Ambition (Alannah McDaid, Model, Brid Harkin), there was always a good chance of a favourable result.
However, there were scenes of absolute joy among the CCS pupils and staff in attendance when the results were announced. La Fraca came second and Tickled by Metallic Glamour came first in the Northern region.
This result was a well-deserved seal of approval for a year of hard work, dedication and late evenings from the pupils.
Roisin Doherty modelling the dress Metallic Glamour for CCS.
With that said, high achievement in competitions like Junk Kouture wouldn’t be possible without the expert guidance of their dedicated and creative staff members, and in the case of CCS, take a bow Art teachers Mrs Adelle McCallion, Ms Michelle McGee and Mrs Pauline McDermott.
I had the pleasure of meeting these teachers and the participating students in the changing room backstage at the grand final and I have to say, there was a great sense of teamwork as they added finishing touches to their garments, topped up the models makeup, which was in the style of 1920s glamour and made sure the model was calm and collected before taking to the catwalk.
The winning Northern region dress, Tickled by Metallic Glamour, was made from scrap metal shavings from the schools metalwork room, feathers from an local poultry farm and old jewellery which they upcycled.
The model, Roisin Doherty, who strutted her stuff on the catwalk in the O2 was both confident and elegant in her performance.
Zara pictured with the Magh Ene College Bundoran entry, modelled by student Karolina Sedyte.
I loved how the lights bounced off her dress to give it extra sparkle. To be honest I couldn’t take my eyes off her. And to top it all off Roisin featured on the Saturday Night Show with Brendan O’Connor, were she modestly spoke of her delight at performing on the catwalk at the O2, how her talented team made the dress and then to top of this amazing experience, winning!
Organiser and founder Elizabeth Curran from Derry said. “We were absolutely delighted when the grand final sold out in five hours and astounded that there was still such a huge demand for tickets. This is obviously down to the increased participation this year and popularity of the event. “We are truly delighted that we can showcase the finest young Irish designers in Ireland’s biggest venue all of which has been made possible by the support or our sponsor Bank of Ireland.”
It was a fantastic night. The details in the garments and work that was put into each and every one of them was very impressive.
I couldn’t get over the imagination and inventiveness of the finalists as I walked around backstage talking to the art teachers and the participants.
They also had to choreograph a performance to showcase their outfit on the catwalk which I think took firstly guts, as well as a lot of practise time and preparation leading up to the competition. The atmosphere in the O2 could only be described as electric. It was fantastic to see so many Donegal secondary schools in the final.
From Deele College Raphoe we had the inventive Examination Transformation and Midnight Masquerade; From Magh Ene College Bundoran, there was the very elegant Electric Blue; we had the stunning Calypso from Colaiste Ailigh; then Attyre Desire by Crana College Buncrana and to top it all off the striking Wild Child by Scoil Mhuire Buncrana. Congratulations to all involved.
La Fraca modelled by CCS student Eimear McLaughlin.
Zara McDaid can be contacted on Facebook, search ‘Zara Mc Daid Art’, www.zaramcdaid-art.blogspot.ie or e-mail is zaramcdaid@hotmail.com
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