Junk Kouture’s Catwalk for the Planet

As the world's largest sustainable youth fashion competition, Junk Kouture injects competitive creativity and playfulness into a world grappling with climate change.

Students aged 12-19 from Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, the UAE, and New York City come together to create jaw-dropping designs using nothing but 100% recycled materials. Founded in 2010 by Troy Armour, the annual competition runs from September to May and is integrated into school curriculums. Each year, students come together for the World Finals, showcasing their talent and environmental stewardship.

As Katie Brill, the head honcho of Partnerships and Communications at Junk Kouture, puts it, "We're on a mission to create the first sport for creative kids and nurture the circular engineers of tomorrow. We want these young people to see waste as a resource for creating something extraordinary!"

And with just a glance at the photos, we’re convinced: Hope, inventiveness, and originality shine in every design.

Runway-Ready Sustainability

But what does it take to create a competition-ready, show-stopping design?

Participants must source their own materials, craft unique designs, and tell compelling stories about their creations. Students often develop style concepts inspired by issues like climate change, plastic pollution, and habitat loss.

Awards include the Abu Dhabi Designer of the Year, the Innovation Award, and the Purposeful Plastic Award, all to engage students’ imagination, artistry, and critical thinking.

And have a great time, of course.

Judges evaluate the entries based on creativity, workmanship, sustainability, and performance on the runway. The competition is fierce, with participants battling it out at national and global levels for a coveted spot at the Junk Kouture World Final. "It's incredible to see the designs on stage," Katie gushes. "You're blown away by the visuals, and then you hear the story behind each one – it's like putting together the pieces of a beautiful, sustainable puzzle."

Katie’s own Junk Kouture journey started in 2012, in Ireland, at age 15. "When I heard about Junk Kouture, I knew I had to get involved," she recalls. Katie and her best friends teamed up to enter the competition by creating a wearable design made entirely from orange peels.

"It was absolutely a journey," Katie laughs. “We would go to a local juice bar in our hometown, collecting black sacks full of oranges. They thought we were crazy!"

That experience ignited Katie’s passion for sustainable fashion. She went on to study dietetics, but Junk Kouture kept calling her name. Five years ago, she joined the team and has been rocking the sustainability scene ever since. "The most rewarding part is seeing these young people flourish," she shares. "They grow in confidence, and you get to witness their incredible aspirations for the future."

Katie lights up, sharing anecdotes of past participants like Maxim Sullivan, who went from being a shy schoolkid to studying sustainable fashion at Central St Martins. "I can only be excited for the future of the fashion industry when you see young changemakers like that."

Abu Dhabi’s Fierce Fashionistas

And now for the unstoppable trio from Abu Dhabi who took the Junk Kouture World Final by storm.

These three talented students made waves with their powerful design, "War of Women,” bagging Abu Dhabi Designer of the Year in the 2023 final in Monaco. Shahad Atiyah, Maria Alkadour, and Haya Hamed, all from Summit International School in Abu Dhabi, created a masterpiece symbolising women's empowerment.

"Our design showcases the strength and power of women. We chose a simple, bold dress style to convey that women can be serious and determined when making important decisions, prioritising what's right and practical without being fragile. This embodies the essence of feminism beautifully," Maria explains, describing their process.

"The chains and lock symbolise the challenges women face, but when they find inner peace and decide to take action, they can break free and fight for their rights."

The girls spent eight months perfecting their design, using materials like yoga mats, newspapers, old clocks and even kids' toys. "It was such a unique experience, and it definitely brought us much closer together as friends," Haya says as she laughs along with her collaborators.

Despite so much time spent socially as friends and playing together for the school volleyball team, working on the project came with some challenges. The trio had to pull together to navigate disagreements, material shortages, and the pressure of creating a truly unique design.

"The hardest part was deciding on an idea," Shahad admits. But through hard work and dedication, they created a masterpiece that wowed the judges and audience alike. “We had a lot of different ideas,” Maria laughs. “We learned to be patient with each other; when you’re working in a group, you need to make sure everyone has the same vision.”

The girls beam with pride as they recall their experience at the final show in Monaco. "We had the opportunity to represent the country, and it filled us with honour! It was amazing," Haya recalls. "Me and Shahad were sitting in the audience, and the whole time, we thought we weren’t going to win. And the moment they said, 'War of Women,' me and Shahad started jumping and crying. It was such an amazing experience."

Maria shares her memorable moments from the event: "I think when I was backstage, that’s when I processed, I’m actually doing this, we actually made it! Honestly, I was in so much pain because of the heavy dress that I forgot to be nervous!” But for Maria and her team, every second of the event was worth it.

The Sustainability Superstars of Tomorrow

Engaging youth in the fight against climate change is essential, according to Katie. "These young people are the future, and they'll be leading the charge when it comes to tackling the climate crisis," she emphasises. "They've got innovative ideas and endless creativity. By tapping into that now, we're ensuring that sustainability will be at the forefront of their minds, no matter what path they choose."

The Abu Dhabi trio echoes this sentiment. "It made me think about how important climate change is for our future and for the world," says Haya. Maria adds, "If there is an opportunity for you to do something to change the world, you should definitely go for it."

Educators and mentors play a crucial role in supporting participants throughout the Junk Kouture journey. From helping students develop their concepts to providing technical guidance and emotional support, these unsung heroes are the backbone of the competition. "Ms Afsheen introduced us to Junk Kouture and encouraged us to take part in the competition," Shahad shares. "She conducted a class about sustainability and emphasised its importance."

A Community United by a Common Thread

Junk Kouture isn't just about the competition – it's about building a supportive community. "Community engagement is the secret sauce," Katie explains. "It creates a sense of collective responsibility and empowers everyone to make a difference together."

The Abu Dhabi team experienced this firsthand, bonding with participants from around the world during workshops and events in Monaco. "It was so much fun getting to know the other contestants," Shahad recounts. "We met with successful people there and learned about the CEO's story and what led him to create Junk Kouture."

This global community fosters collaboration, creativity, and cultural exchange. Participants learn from each other's experiences, share ideas, and forge lasting friendships. "It's amazing to see how Junk Kouture brings together young people from different backgrounds and cultures," Katie marvels. "They're united by their desire to make a difference."

Sustainable, Inclusive, and Fierce

As Junk Kouture continues to inspire and empower young people around the globe, it's clear that the future of sustainable fashion is in good hands. With ambitious goals to expand the competition to 20 countries and divert 800 tonnes of waste materials by 2030, Junk Kouture is just getting started. "We can't do that without schools and students," Katie emphasises. "Inclusivity and diversity are massively important to us as we look to grow in the Global South."

The impact of Junk Kouture extends far beyond the competition itself. "If we can engage young people now, they're going to have that sustainable thinking at the forefront, whether they go into fashion, politics, or technology. It's super important to tap into their innovative ideas." Katie declares.

Young people like Shahad, Maria, and Haya are not only creating stunning, sustainable designs but also developing a deep passion for environmental action. "You might fail, and you might face obstacles, but in the end, not giving up will take you very far," Shahad advises.

Maria, inspired by her Junk Kouture experience, shares her newfound perspective: "Junk Kouture made me realise that there are some people who are willing to do something or start something that can actually have an impact."

The message is clear – no matter your age or background, you have the power to make a difference. As Katie passionately declares, "Use your voice. Don't be afraid to advocate for climate action. Speak out about the importance of climate change to your peers, family, your teachers, and your community leaders. Don't be afraid to write letters to policymakers."

But it’s the stories and connections that have stayed with Katie the most. The student who went home to Brazil brought back banana leaves for her design, highlighting her home and her values. The young woman who collected 63,000 pull tabs from soda cans to create her outfit and mobilising her entire community in the recycling effort.

“And that's one of the most amazing things,” Katie says proudly, her excitement spilling through the screen. “You see them visually, you go, wow. Then you hear their stories, and you go, oh, my God, it's like a puzzle piece. It all comes together.”

“Each design is a story.”