And now for the first time ever, the Junk Kouture Grand Final supported by the Creative Ireland Programme will be televised, beaming the incredible designs of students into the homes of the nation and showcasing these talented young people who have waited so patiently throughout the pandemic for their moment to shine. Catch all the action on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player to find out who will be crowned the next winner of Junk Kouture.

Filmed in breathtakingly beautiful new venues across Ireland, the final has been adapted for the times we live in, not only granting students the opportunity to model their creations in a safe way but to also gain the experience of being one of the stars of a television production. Hosted by 2FM presenters Laura Fox and Emma Power, viewers at home can expect an extravaganza of performance, art, design, sustainability and high fashion on the night, as students pull out all the stops to impress an expert panel of judges, including X-Factor judge Louis Walsh and judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race Michelle Visage. There will also be a special musical performance from pop princess and 2FM Rising artist Aimée who will perform her new single Bulletproof.

All students will strut their stuff in designs made entirely from everyday junk: whether that is old tyres, toothbrushes or burnt toast, anything goes when it comes to Junk Kouture. The golden rule is the outfit must be made from 100% recycled materials.

The winner of Junk Kouture 2020 will walk away with €1,000 with a further €2,000 for the winning school. There will be many other awards up for grabs on the night too at the Winners’ Party, broadcast on junkkouture.com straight after the main show, including the bright Enterprise Award and the Waste2Wear Creative for a Cause Award.

Junk Kouture judge Michelle Visage said: “There have been so many ups and downs for everyone this year but somehow Junk Kouture has found a way to adapt – and that resilience is why I am so excited to play my part in the tenth Grand Final of this amazing contest. Our finalists will be making history, as the final is aired on TV for the first time – how exciting is that? I really love everything about this competition as it not only showcases the extraordinary creativity of the next generation, but it also carries an important message for us all: to look after the world that we live in. I want all the finalists to seize the moment and show us what they’ve got. I can’t wait to witness the phenomenal talent that is sure to be on display. And I am beyond delighted to reunite with Mr Louis Walsh and help crown the next winner of Junk Kouture.”

Junk Kouture Judge Louis Walsh said: “I have been judging Junk Kouture for ten years now and I have to admit, I really feared that the tenth final might not go ahead. There were times when we all thought, ‘how can we make this happen?’ but I am so happy that Junk Kouture has managed to overcome every obstacle and organise an unforgettable show for everyone. It’s just incredible how things have been turned around and now the final will be on television for the very first time! It’s the tenth year of Junk Kouture and things are certainly bigger and better than ever. What is even more amazing is that despite Michelle being on the other side of the world, we will be able to judge this competition together side by side, thanks to technology. I am so glad to be involved and see what the students have in store for us. They are what Junk Kouture is all about and I can’t wait to see who is going to be the next big thing!”

Director of Creative Ireland Tania Banotti said: “We are delighted to be supporting Junk Kouture in 2021, having witnessed the creative brilliance of these young people at live shows over the years. By reimagining the programme, Junk Kouture has shown a commitment to its community of creatives and teachers, affording them the opportunity to continue the annual celebration of fashion and upcycling. We are proud to play a role not only in the conclusion of the 2020 programme, but also in the development of Junk Kouture’s education platform and reach in 2021.”