Young Donegal designer dazzles with the stars in France

Class was cannes-celled this week for Scoil Mhuire Buncrana student Mariusz Malon as the Junk Kouture competition winner jetted off to the south of France to showcase his Engimatic design.

Mariusz was among the seven young Junk Kouture finalists who attended the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival in France.

His proud school Principal Rosaleen Grant joined him in the sunny destination for the celebration.

The Junk Kouture prize winners mingled with movie stars and the social elite on the French red carpet in their striking works of wearable and recycled art.

Mariusz’ creation ‘Engimatic’ used an old trampoline, broken chandelier and a dis-used carpet maker to be crowned the overall winner of the recent Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture Final held in Three Arena, Dublin on the 27th April, 2017.

Scoil Mhuire Buncrana Principal Rosaleen Grant with Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture overall 2017 competition winner Mariusz Malon

Irish Snapchat King James Kavanagh (Right) with Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture overall 2017 competition winner Mariusz Malon

Heather Humphreys, Irish Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht meets Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture overall 2017 competition winner Mariusz Malon

Mariusz Malon his creation ‘Engimatic’ and Rachael Barrington from Our Lady’s Bower School in Athlone in her creation entitled “Going Nuts” which was made from Pistachio Nuts

This week in the lavish hotspot, the Junk Kouture Cannes-didates also socialised with the global fashion community as well as Heather Humphreys, Irish Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Irish Ambassador for France, Geraldine Byrne Nason.

The Junk Kouture finalists with Irish Ambassador for France, Geraldine Byrne Nason, in Cannes, Picture by Brian McEvoy

Sara Ryan from Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture Revealed: “This is what the competition’s all about. It’s about showcasing our young national talent on an international stage, and rewarding our winners with a truly unforgettable experience in exchange for all their hard work over the past year. It’s been an amazing few days and the students have been delighted by the response to their designs.”

Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture Finalists (Left to Right)
Cosima Augustin from Rita’s Clay House School in Clonakilty,Cork, Emily Mc Cabe from Moate Community School,Mariusz Malon,Scoil Mhuire Buncrana (Overall winner) Rachael Barrington from Our Lady’s Bower School in Athlone,Lauren Allen from Moate Community School and Emma Duffy from Colasite Ris in Dundalk when they stepped out showcasing their designs at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Picture Brian McEvoy