St John Plessington student struts into the final of major fashion competition

A talented art student from St John Plessington Catholic College, Bebington, has secured a place in the final of the nationwide ‘Junk Kouture’ competition.

Year 10 student, Giuliana, has spent many hours after school for the last six months perfecting her final design for the sustainable fashion contest. 

Junk Kouture is a fashion competition where participants design, create and model fashion, made from recycled items. 

The final is due to take place this autumn at Hackney Empire, London, where a group of students from across the country will unveil their sustainable fashion creations to celebrity judges Laura Whitmore, Fabio Piras and Mehreen Baig.

The top 10 designs from the final will be selected by the Junk Kouture judging panel for the world final, where finalists will then compete with 50 other aspiring designers from Abu Dhabi, Paris, Milan and New York. 

The competition not only develops students’ life skills, such as confidence, problem solving and teamwork, but it also offers them a chance to be showcased on the world stage.

The project is also partnered with the influential activists Kids Against Plastic to amplify the movement and the role young people play as future changemakers in the environmental movement.

Inspired by plastic waste, Giuliana’s design utilises waste found around the school, including plastic packaging, pallet banding from paper boxes, as well as plastic lids of drink and milk bottles which has been bonded through fusing together. Even the footwear is made from waste cardboard.

All of the items were collected by the St John Plessington school community and supported by the Eco Club.

Headteacher of St John Plessington Catholic College, Maria Sharratt, said: “Here at St John Plessington, one of our missions is to encourage our children to fulfil their potential.

“With a wide range of talent across all the year groups, it is wonderful to see one of our students being acknowledged for her gift.”

Sarah Davies, subject leader of art at the school added: “We are so proud of the commitment, the innovation, creativity and dedication that Giuliana has put in to get to this level. When she hits that catwalk in London, it will certainly be magical.”

St John Plessington Catholic College is part of the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust and it is not the first time a school within the Trust has nurtured a budding fashion designer. 

Alumnus Patrick McDowell attended St Mary’s Catholic College in Wallasey. After securing an internship at US Vogue, Patrick has become a successful designer that incorporates sustainability into his collections.