I love the Junk Kouture competition, not only does it celebrate true creative talent, but it also gives students the opportunity to experience what it's like to see their creations appear on a catwalk, and gives them a global platform to showcase their talent as well!

After five hugely successful years seeing secondary and grammar schools’ students’ work appear on red carpets and catwalks across the world, plus an expansion to Scotland, the 2016 Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture competition has launched its 2016 competition with an ever-enticing list of prizes - including cash, iPads and trips to film premieres in London - for artistic and fashion-minded young people.

Breakfast radio presenters Pete Snodden and Rebecca McKinney joined some of last year’s finalists wearing dresses that give future entrants a taster of what to expect from Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2016.

The recycled fashion competition is open to all secondary and grammar school students in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Their challenge is to create an outfit of any shape or form, with the stipulation that it is made from recycled materials. Entrants must get their hands on industrial, electrical, commercial and domestic waste products and transform them into pieces of fashion art.

Judges for the competition have included model and TV presenter Vogue Williams as well as TV stylist Darren Kennedy, Rosanna Davison, and international model Faye Dinsmore. As with previous years there will be four regional heats in Dublin, Derry, Limerick, and Castlebar. The Grand Final, featuring the top 80 dresses, will take place in the 3Arena, Dublin in April 2016.

Elizabeth Curran, founder of Junk Kouture said: “Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture doesn’t just inspire outstanding creativity in young people, but also highlights the importance of environmentally aware behaviour and mindfulness of how much we consume and how much we throw away. Once again I’m really looking forward to seeing how the students reinvent waste such as old plastics, paper, bottles, wires, lambs’ wool and even hosepipes to turn them into couture!”

It truly is an unique competition as entrants designs are made using everyday recycled objects and rubbish, taking the ordinary and discarded and turning it into something truly extrodinary! Having seen some of the previous years finalists I can say I was truly blown away by the sheer level of creative talent on display, and I for one can't wait to see what this year's entrants come up with!!

With some great prizes on offer, the clock is now ticking for students and teachers alike to get creative over the summer months. Online applications will close in January 2016. For further information and entry criteria visit: www.junkkouture.com or www.facebook.com/junkkouture alternatively please email info@junkkouture.com.

Massive thanks to Cathy Martin at CMPR for press release and all relevant imagery.