Westmeath student wins award at Junk Kouture World Final

A Westmeath student has won an award at the Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi.

Killucan's Clodagh Ramsey (14), a student at Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham, won the Innovation Award for her creation, 'Bohemian Pampas Tree', Junk Kouture's first ever living design which requires daily water, air and light.

The Innovation Award recognises a designer who explored and applied the most original and innovative choice of recycled materials and/or manipulation techniques displayed within their wearable garment.

Clodagh's boho-inspired design truly represents sustainability as the organic materials have been borrowed from nature. The skirt is made from fluffy pampas collected from her garden. The bodice is made from wine and champagne bottle corks cut into discs with living moss plugged in between. Clodagh planted living black grasses in cat food pouches which are placed on the shoulders. She has been watering both the moss and the black grass in her living outfit twice a day for the last 10 months, demonstrating her commitment to her design.

When she gets back from Abu Dhabi, Clodagh, who was selected as one of 10 teen designers to travel to Middle East to represent Ireland, plans to repurpose her award winning piece into a decorative planter.

In a post on social media, Wilson's Hospital congratulated Clodagh on her achievement and thanked teacher Justyna Byrne for facilitating Junk Kouture at the school. Ms Byrne and Clodagh's mother travelled with her to Abu Dhabi.