Second Year students of Art at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir have come up with an imaginative approach to recycling and fashion design, which will see them represent their school at the Southern Regional finals of Junk Kouture in Limerick next month.

Junk Kouture is a national competition run in association with the European Recycling Platform, which challenges teenagers to create high-end wearable fashion from everyday junk that would normally find its way into the bin.

The Ennis students’ piece is titled ‘An Bhanríon Hart’, and takes its inspiration from the Queen of Hearts found in playing cards, with a nod to Helena Bonham Carter’s character in Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland.

The entire outfit is made from recycled materials, including: parts of computer keyboards, life jackets, buttons, keys, cereal boxes, camera cases, wine corks and magazines. It was designed by Gaelcholáiste students Jennifer Ní Mharacháin, Gráinne Nic Nialghais and Caireann Brigdale.

The Regional Final, which will be judged by a panel including supermodel Faye Dinsmore, takes place at the University Concert Hall in Limerick on Thursday 14th March 2013, at 7pm. Online voting is open until Friday March 1st and this will count towards 10% of the votes. All the entries can be viewed and voted on at www.junkkouture.com.