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Junk Kouture is a television fashion competition for post-primary school students, where participants design, create and model fashion, made from recycled items. The competition has run in Ireland, since it was founded in 2010, by Troy Armour. The annual Grand Finale has been held in the 3Arena, Dublin since 2015.
Junk Kouture launched in New York, London and Abu Dhabi in 2021, with competitions opening in September 2021 for each of these new cities.
In 2022, the first ever World Final was held at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, and saw 53 teams designs from the UAE, France, Italy, Ireland, Britain, and United States compete to be crowned World Designer of the Year 2022. Since, it has held World Finals in Grimaldi Forum, Monaco in 2023 and The Helix, Dublin in 2024.
Previous holders of the Junk Kouture Overall Winner for 2021 include 'Iconoclastic Fantastic' – created by Alicia Rostermundt from Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy.
In 2012, venue sizes were increased, with locations including the Europa Hotel, Belfast, The Crown Plaza, Blanchardstown, Hudson Bay, Athlone and The Strand, Limerick, with the Grand Final moving to the Citywest Hotel, Dublin. New judges were also brought in for the second instalment, with stylist and presenter Angela Scanlon and designer Zoe Boomer being part of the panel. Lady Data was crowned Overall Winner – a design created out of recycled computer parts including circuit boards and keyboard keys, by students from Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy - Sarah Greene, Michaela Doyle and Kelly Bolger. This edition also saw the introduction of new prize categories including the Glamour Prize, the winners of which travelled to London to appear at the Royal Film Performance of , and to Cannes for the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2013, Junk Kouture shows were moved from hotels to theatres – Millennium Forum, Derry; The Helix, Dublin; The Royal Theatre, Castlebar; and University of Limerick's Concert Hall. Junk Kouture also moved its Grand Final to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin for the first time. Judges included presenter Darren Kennedy and model Faye Dinsmore. Students Ceile Corbett, Annie Corbett, Shannon McCarthy from Coláiste Iosaef, Kilmallock were crowned Overall Winners with their design Ultra Violet Wash – created from clothes pegs and lint found in the filters of dryers.
In 2014, after the completion of Regional Finals, tickets went on sale for the Grand Final to be held in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, only to sell-out in a number of hours. The demand resulted in the Grand Final being moved to the 3Arena, Dublin. X-Factor judge and music manager Louis Walsh and former Miss World Rosanna Davison joined the judging panel, whilst TV presenter Glenda Gilson took the reins as show host. Students from Our Lady's Bower, Athlone - Ruth Gallagher, Jane Wallace, Emma Kinsella were announced as Overall Winners for their design Pine-A-Colada, created from old rope, pine cones and dried pineapple.
In 2015, the competition format continued with four regional finals around Ireland, as well as the Grand Final being held in the 3Arena. There was further changes to the judging panel, with TV personality Vogue Williams and celebrity stylist Rob Condon replacing Darren Kennedy and Rosanna Davison. Roscommon-native Luke McEvoy from Elphin Community College, took home the Overall Winners prize for his design Le Paon Majestueux, made from chicken wire, old magazines, aluminium and peacock feathers. In doing so, Luke became the first male to be crowned Overall Winner of Junk Kouture.
Junk Kouture grew further in 2016, when the demand in Ireland increased to the point where a further regional final was added to the programme. This would take place in The Helix, Dublin - meaning that there would be two shows held back-to-back for the first time in one venue. Fashion Editor for Vogue India, Lorna McGee joined the judging panel for the first time, and Our Lady's Bower, Athlone picked up their second Overall Winner prize, with Jennifer Siak, Emma Clarke, Eleanor Dwyer's Jewel of the Nylon - created from recycled ladies tights - claiming the top prize. Junk Kouture was crowned Overall Event of the Year and the annual Event Industry Awards in Ireland, beating off events such as the Centenary of the Easter Rising.
In 2017, Junk Kouture launched its presence in Scotland for the first time, holding its final in the SEC Centre, Glasgow. The winning entry Wear No Evil was created by students Ayden Bryson-Sword, Ellie Byrne and Ummi Ibrahim from St. Paul's RC Academy and was made up of old maps. The entry would then join the Irish competition for the Grand Final. Music star Una Healy from The Saturdays joined the judging panel, along with make-up artist Rhys Ellis - who would later go on to star in Netflix show . Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana student Mariusz Malon picked up the Overall Winner prize with his design Enigmatic, created from a trampoline, a broken chandelier and a recycled carpet maker.
The emergence of the Beast from the East storm in February 2018 caused havoc in the Junk Kouture calendar, with the company being forced to hold four of its regional finals in The Helix, Dublin, with the South regional final going ahead in University Concert Hall, Limerick being the only survivor. The 3Arena again played host to the 2018 finalists, with Pippa O'Connor Ormond joining the judging the panel for the first time. For the third time, an entry from Our Lady's Bower, Athlone won the Overall Prize, as Mary Brody's MOO - created from 300 milk cartons and 30,000 O-rings - took home the title.
Junk Kouture returned to normal in 2019, with over 4000 participants. TV presenter Garrihy sisters joined the judging panel for the first time. With 80 Grand Finalists selected from the five regions, Maxim O'Sullivan from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle, County Kerry was crowned Overall Winner for his design Cinematic. The design was made from old film reels, VHS tapes and , all taken from his family-owned cinema - The Phoenix. It had been Maxim's second time entering Junk Kouture, and his design went on to be showcased in Cannes during the acclaimed Cannes Film Festival, and at the Royal Film Performance of 1917 in London.
On 4 February 2021, the 2020 Junk Kouture Grand Final was broadcast on RTÉ2 - presented by RTÉ 2FM hosts Laura Fox and Emma Power, and featuring a performance from Irish singer, Aimée. Synergy - a design created from sea glass and plastic cartons by Carndonagh Community School students Brónach Harkin, Robyn O'Donnell and Orlaith Doherty.
On 9 December 2021, the 2021 Junk Kouture Grand Final was broadcast on RTÉ2, where Iconoclastic Fantastic - a design inspired by Jean-Paul Gaultier and Janelle Monáe made from seatbelts and a second-hand trouser suit, and created by German exchange student Alicia Rostermundt from Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy - took home the Overall Winner award.
| 2011 | Grainne Wilson | Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel | Urban Armour | Aluminium drink cans and pull tabs |
| 2012 | Sarah Greene, Michaela Doyle, Kelly Bolger | Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy | Lady Data | Recycled computer parts including circuit boards and keyboard keys |
| 2013 | Ceile Corbett, Annie Corbett, Shannon McCarthy | Coláiste Iosaef, Kilmallock | Ultra Violet Wash | Clothes pegs and lint found in the filters of dryers |
| 2014 | Ruth Gallagher, Jane Wallace, Emma Kinsella | Our Lady's Bower, Athlone | Pine-A-Colada | Rope, pine cones and dried pineapple |
| 2015 | Luke McEvoy, Sarah Cox (model) | Elphin Community College, Roscommon | Le Paon Majestueux | Chicken wire, old magazines, aluminium and peacock feathers |
| 2016 | Jennifer Siak, Emma Clarke, Eleanor Dwyer | Our Lady's Bower, Athlone | Jewel of the Nylon | Recycled ladies tights |
| 2017 | Mariusz Malon | Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana | Enigmatic | Trampoline, a broken chandelier, recycled carpet maker |
| 2018 | Mary Brody | Our Lady's Bower, Athlone | MOO | 300 milk cartons, 30,000 O rings |
| 2019 | Maxim O'Sullivan | Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle | Cinematic | Old film trailers, video tape and DVDs |
| 2020 | Brónach Harkin, Robyn O'Donnell, Orlaith Doherty | Carndonagh Community School, County Donegal | Synergy | Sea glass, plastic milk cartons and smashed jam jars |
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