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North Bergen students are heading overseas to compete in the finals of an international eco-friendly fashion design competition.
On Tuesday, October 25, America’s budding eco-friendly creators and fashion designers took part in the finals of New York City’s inaugural Junk Kouture, a global sustainable youth fashion competition. During the event, 30 haute couture designs made from 100% recycled materials, created and modeled by talented post-primary students, took to the digital stage on Junk Kouture’s YouTube and TikTok channels.
Junk Kouture judges Ben Barry, Nicole McLaughlin and Emma McKee selected ten works by young designers aged 13 to 18 from the city and nearby states to represent the US at the inaugural Junk Kouture World Finals at the Etihad Arena 11 January 2023, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The final 10 designs from the US will compete with 50 other designs, including 10 from Junk Kouture’s other finalists in the UK, Italy, France, Ireland and the UAE. At the World Finals, there will be six separate Urban Designer Awards for each location, as well as the first-ever Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year Award.
Other awards include Glamour, Wearable Art, Innovation and Performance. Students will model and perform for an audience of celebrity judges, industry experts and cheering supporters flying to Abu Dhabi from around the world in haute couture designs made entirely from recycled materials.
An evening of creativity, performance, talent and live music from special guests awaits students in January. The event was billed as a celebration of young people and the recycling engineers of tomorrow.
One of ten designs selected to represent New York City at the World Finals included “Nightingale” by Christopher King, Myles Perez, Jazzlynn Vargas and Josselyn Garcia of North Bergen High School. Students were assisted by fashion and interior design teacher Marlene Sapoff and sculpture teacher and art director Steven Defendini.
The dress itself is made from a blue wrap from Hackensack University Medical Center and is adorned with flowers made from the same material. The blue wrap is a surgical wrap equivalent to 19% medical waste and pool insulation foam.
A large amount of discarded pool insulation also made its way into the construction of the robes. This material is shaped into angel wings.
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco congratulated the students on their achievement in the competition at the October 26 committee meeting. Sacco said the students were among ten designs selected as finalists across the country.
“I’ve just been notified that high school students are finalists in a fashion competition,” Sacco said during the meeting. “They made a suit out of medical supplies. They were going to Abu Dhabi. They won the local championship and there were only ten in the national final.”
Sacco said he had seen the dress in person and seemed impressed. He said he was especially so now that the students were heading to the world finals.
“I went in and looked at the dress one day and it took a lot of work,” Sacco said. “I never thought we would be in the finals of the international competition. It was very impressive. The kids are very talented.”
According to Sacco, Junk Kouture allows two teachers and two students to participate. He said they weren’t sure if the township needed to raise money to support them, but as January got closer, they would see what was necessary.
“We don’t know what else that means,” Sacco said. “We will give more notices.”
Design for the World Finals in Abu Dhabi
Some of the nine designs selected include: “Junk Punk Denim” by Emily Humphreys and Olivia Volt of Clearview Regional High School in New Jersey, made from upcycled denim used to make patchwork, bottle caps, cans and recycled rope; “Sugar Pink Rockstar” by Yanin Thammarangsri, Fatima Koita, and Sonia Domlan of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School in New York, featuring metallic chrome balloons, pink straws, cardboard, yarn, upcycled fabric, safety pins, staples Nails and paper plates; and “Trash Carnival” by Sarah Arriola and Chloe Davis of McIntosh High School in Georgia, made of Coca-Cola cans, plastic water bottles, wire, newspaper, yarn, dye, glue, cardboard, tape, old T-shirts, cans made into labels, thread, plastic grocery and trash bags, ribbons, old bedding, old high heels and old bodysuits.
Other Selected Works: “D’Fear” by Xiwen Mark, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and the Performing Arts, New York, made of plastic, paper, and upcycled clothing; by Natalia Monsale, Glen Cove High School, New York, Virginia “Grandstar,” by Papasidero and Astro Mejia, made from plastic water bottles, paper bags, paper clips, and recycled clothing; “Tree of Life,” by Ísis de Farias Madeira, M600, Fashion Industry High School, New York, made from scrap and dead-stock fabrics, For the bottom of the skirt, the banana fiber is sewn with recycled polyester thread, and the shoes are also old and upholstered with the same material; Naomi Carrion of the Bronx International High School in New York ‘Mask dress made with mask, thread and glue ”; “Record Breaker,” by Lia Aldea-Lustig, Byram Hills High School, New York, made from upcycled clothing, CDs, cassettes, shells, and tape; and Marykate Hanus and Jennifer Toler, North Kingston High School, Rhode Island “Buttons” made of buttons, fabric, glue, string and wire.
“Get ready for New York-designed Abu Dhabi that gives you hope for the future of fashion and the survival of our planet. What the students create is truly special – limitless creativity, craftsmanship and awareness will be on full display ,” said Ben Barry, Judge Junk Kouture and Dean of Fashion at Parsons School of Design.
“I’m excited to introduce the world to the finalists and their work. It’s a privilege to judge Junk Kouture New York. We’re producing a new generation of high school fashion designers who don’t see climate justice as an addition or an afterthought to their design practice Consideration, but rather its foundation – to provide creative beginnings for new fashion aesthetics, silhouettes and forms.”
Junk Kouture judge and fashion designer Nicole McLaughlin said: “I’ve been incredibly impressed with the design and execution capabilities of the projects I’ve seen from the designers. Junk Kouture is where teens explore creativity in a sustainable world. Important channel. They understand the importance of this message and want to nurture the future through amazing opportunities through imagination and empowerment. And all you have to do is keep cheering them on. This is just the beginning of their journey. I hope to get to Abu Zabi’s designers remember to make some great memories and enjoy yourself. Have fun!”
Supporting Junk Kouture as a World Finals event partner is Miral, creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi. All local and international participants and supporters heading to the Junk Kouture World Finals will be immersed in the culture Abu Dhabi has to offer, supported by Junk Kouture’s official airline partners and global partners Miral and Etihad Airways and entertainment.
Standard tickets for the show start from Dh100, and attendees have the option to create bespoke packages, including accommodation and other unique experiences across the island and the capital.For more information, please visit online junkcouture.com Or follow social media @junkkouture.
For updates on this and other stories, check out www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
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