Home are the heroes! Longford Junk Kouture champions on top of the world

The grey chill of a Granard January day is a far cry from the heat of Abu Dhabi. The two students who captured gold in the capital of the United Arab Emirates returned to north Longford last Friday.

A Garda car escorted their motorcade. Longford and Granard flags were flying from the window of the first car, while from the second car Solomon Eduard and Joshua Osabuehien displayed their 'World Designer of the Year' trophies awarded for their Junk Kouture success.

The ebullient crowd reflects the good humour of everyone gathered as Solomon and Joshua brought the trappings of their world title win back to Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School Granard.

In the sports hall the students gather cheek by jowl, crammed in to see the designer icons. Joined by teachers and a few parents this was an unusual gathering of young people. There's no feigned indifference or forced boredom, the atmosphere was one of genuine giddiness.

Solomon and Joshua's triumphant return from the Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi was the cause of excitement. Under the guidance of teacher Charmaine Hetherton the young men won out in a field of teams from Paris, New York, Milan, London and Abu Dhabi at the world final ceremony.

'Back to the Future' is Joshua and Solomon's “futuristic coat of armour against climate change”. The young men harvested the inner tube from a tractor tyre, a TV aerial, an old laundry basket, car wipers, and an old shower mat to create an ensemble that screams “dystopic future”.

PICTURES | Longford school rolls out the red carpet for Junk Kouture world title winners

Junk Kouture is a creative youth challenge promoting the importance of sustainability. It targets a generation decades closer to melting polar ice caps, for whom climate change is a more pressing issue than it is for the predecessors.

In the assembly Principal Pauline McBrien introduced the victors saying: “Together they produced world class standard work, this is amazing. Our school is seventy five years old this year and we are very proud of this huge achievement.”

Anyone who saw the footage of Solomon's performance on the catwalk in Abu Dhabi will understand why Solomon said to his team mate: “Thanks for the performance you gave out there, good man yourself.”

For the last 11 years Ms Hetherton has helped out students in bringing their recycled sartorial creations to the Junk Kouture competition. Addressing the gathering the popular school teacher thanked everyone who supported all the students who have participated in the competition for over a decade.

“I can't forget these two legends, Solomon and Josh. They carried themselves so well for the last few weeks. They were a credit to the school. So many teachers from other schools came up to me and commented on how cool they were. No matter what was going on they were so chilled,” Ms Hetherton said of the duo, “They are a great team and a joy to work with. I could not have spent those days in Abu Dhabi with two nicer students. They are a credit to their families.”

Ms Hetherton said the winning team is a great example to emulate for all Cnoc Mhuire students: “In years ahead many of you will join teams and become part of extra curricular activities. I encourage you to get involved. Look at these lads, this could be you.”

Speaking to the Leader after the ceremony Solomon said their middle eastern adventure was not all hard work: “We had a great time. We learned how to swim, we went to Ferrari World, went to the biggest indoor theme park in the world Warner Brothers World. It was amazing.”

Super achievement as Longford students win 'World Designer of the Year' title at Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi

Joshua reigns in the glamorous side of the competition: “We worked hard. We had to make sure the suit was at its best for the performance. We had rehearsals, making sure everything was right for the performance.

“I don't think the nerves got to me. I knew what I had to do, and I went out and did it. When you know what you have to do you just go out and do it. The crowd makes it a bit tense, but it's a good experience.”

Solomon commended the performance of his team mate and fellow designer: “It's a process. The routine changed from when we first did it, but it's all him. He went out and did what he had to do, and clearly it paid off.”

The Granard lads were in a minority in Abu Dhabi: “There were about 60 students involved in the various teams. I would say there are about four or five males in all the teams.”

The design of the piece complemented the theme and the materials used: “We were really influenced by the movie Mad Max. The industrial look, the abstract. Josh's performance was very robotic as well. It was about playing on the prospect of a bleak future.”

Covid restrictions mean the lads completed their second level education before the 2022 finals took place. Both of the young men are now engaged in third level courses; for Solomon it is Computing for Business, while Josh's course is Health Science and Physical Activity.

The World Junk Kouture winners believe that their success will play a part in their future career paths: “It's definitely something that will be going on the CV,” Solomon says, while Josh concludes with: “I think there is a future for us in design.”