Fashionistas from Virginia College reach final

Michael Cryan Four groups of young fashionistas from Virginia College have reached the regional finals of Junk Kouture 2013 competition. The competition for second level students, gives young, expressive designers the opportunity to work with various junk materials with a view to creating a striking dress design and an impressive work of art. Students rework trash and other already used materials that are beyond their intended purpose and craft them into remarkable high-end couture fashion. Brendan Comiskey of Virginia College said the students had qualified for the eastern regional finals to be held in The Helix, DCU, Dublin on Monday, March 11, at 7pm. "It is a major achievement for them and they are eagerly looking forward to it," he revealed. Tickets for the regional final are available from the Helix website www.thehelix.ie Mr Comiskey adds that the event challenges teenagers to create high - end wearable fashion from everyday junk. The competition was launched in September and a maximum of three students can work on each outfit and submit it by February the following year to qualify. Judges whittled this years entrants down to just 320, 80 outfits per region. "The college is delighted that the four groups have made it through to the finals." Brendan points out that all entries will take part in an online vote - this vote will be worth 10% of the overall results. Online voting is currently open and runs until midnight on Friday, March 1. "Everyone can vote once per day," he stresses. Please vote at www.junkkouture.com . The grand finale takes place in Dublin on Friday, April 19.