Longford students reach World Finals of Junk Kouture with ‘a Tim Burton masterpiece’
Super achievement by Cnoc Mhuire Granard students Jakub Dragowski (model), Charlie Sheridan and Adrian Portilla as ‘Alternative Route’ chosen for World Finals of Junk Kouture
There are great celebrations at Cnoc Mhuire Granard as the team behind ‘Alternative Route’, Jakub Dragowski (model), Charlie Sheridan and Adrian Portilla and their teacher Charmaine Hetherton, secured qualification for the World Finals of Junk Kouture 2026.
Renowned designer and judge, Claire Garvey, hailed their outfit ‘Alternative Route’ as ‘a Tim Burton masterpiece’ during the Junk Kouture Dublin City Final in The Helix, DCU on Wednesday, May 6.
It is the second time a Cnoc Mhuire Granard entry has qualified for the Junk Kouture World Final. In January 2023, ‘Back to the Future’ by Solomon Eduard and Joshua Osabuehien made history by winning the inaugural Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi.
‘Alternative Route’, a sculptural design created by Jakub, Charlie and Adrian, is made from tyres, umbrella spokes, plastic, floor underlay, chains and insulation blocks. This design is inspired by SDG16. The predominant colours in the design are black and gold.
The black represents how the world is suffering due to climate change, war, violence and injustice. Gold represents hope for the future. A sustainable future is dependent on peace, justice, equal rights and opportunities for all.
On their Instagram page, @alternativeroute.cmg , the students described the event as ‘an unbelievable night’, adding ‘we’re honestly still in shock’. They expressed a huge thank you to the Junk Kouture team and all the judges for making the night so special. “Everyone who supported us the whole way throughout the journey and to our teacher Ms Hetherton for all her help and support throughout everything we wouldn’t be here without her.”
Cnoc Mhuire Granard paid tribute to the ‘dedication and vision’ of Ms Hetherton. “Through the development of the Junk Kouture programme as a Transition Year subject option at Cnoc Mhuire Granard, and the countless hours she has devoted to building and nurturing it, Ms Hetherton has created something that is the envy of schools across the country.
“Her commitment has given our students incredible opportunities to discover and develop talents they may never have realised they possessed. It cannot be underestimated just what effort, creativity and dedication have gone into cultivating these talents over the years!”
Cnoc Mhuire also had a second representative at the Dublin City Final. ‘Milk It’ by Shauna Farrelly (model), Leisha O’Reilly and Bronagh Reilly also took to the stage in the Helix Dublin as a finalist.
A stunning design, ‘Milk It’ was created using milk cartons. 408 cartons in total were used which the girls collected from Bronagh Rogers in Bean and Bread coffee shop in Granard.
The empty cartons were washed, cut, shaped and all handsewn together to create an elegant dress form. The design was inspired by SDG2. Milk is a complete food and is one of the most accessible and affordable ways to deliver vital nutrients to populations. Milk can end hunger, achieve food security and promote a sustainable way of life worldwide.