Two students from St John Plessington Catholic College in Bebington are preparing to take to the global stage as one of 10 design teams across the country representing London at the Junk Kouture World Final 2025.
Junk Kouture is a fashion competition that challenges participants across the world to design, create and model haute couture pieces made entirely from 100 per cent recycled materials.
Guiliana in Year 13 and Beatriz in Year 11 impressed fashion designer Stephen McLaughlin, who has previously judged the awards alongside Michelle Visage, and Vogue’s must-follow Parisian content creator, Lise Pierron, with their original design ‘Penumbra’ that was made from teabags, sticky notes and beads.
The innovative creation that showcased the students’ imagination was selected due to its originality, creativity and commitment to sustainability with competition organisers coining them the ‘next generation of changemakers’.
Not only visually striking, the students’ ‘Penumbra’ design is a statement on transformation, resilience and the beauty that can be found in discarded materials. Through months of dedication, teamwork and imagination, Guiliana and Beatriz have brought their concept to life with exceptional craftmanship and vision.
Following the announcement they are in the world final, students are now preparing to bring their design to life on the world stage where they will compete alongside finalists from Milan, Paris, Dubai, New York and Dublin.
Head of art at St John Plessington, Sarah Davies, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for our students and I am extremely proud that Guiliana and Beatriz are progressing through to the world finals.
“We have a brilliant creative community here at St John Plessington and making it to a world final for a second time demonstrates the immense skill and knowledge our students have when it comes to sustainable fashion.”
Three A Level students at St John Plessington recently attended another Junk Kouture World Final held in Dublin for their ‘Dress for the Record’ piece. Created from old vinyl records, dismantled cassette tapes and repurposed fabrics, the dress symbolised the preservation of creativity and music in a disposable world.
Peadar McLoughlin, headteacher, commented: “We’re incredibly proud of Guiliana and Beatriz for being selected to represent the UK .
“They have worked extremely hard on this design and I am thrilled that their commitment and creativity to this project is now being recognised on an international level.”
St John Plessington Catholic College is part of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academic Trust (HFCMAT), which places an emphasis on raising environmental awareness through a range of initiatives across its nine schools.
CEO of HFCMAT, Andy Moor, added: “This is a brilliant achievement off the back of St John Plessington’s debut at a world final, and Guiliana and Beatriz should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished so far.
“At Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, we encourage students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly about the world around them and it’s brilliant to witness our vision come to fruition in real time with our new world finalists.”