Junk Kouture Licensing Ltd

Junk Kouture Licensing Limited runs the world’s first “sport for creatives” – a high‑profile, youth‑focused competition that challenges 12‑ to 19‑year‑olds to design and construct high‑end couture from up‑cycled waste. Each year schools across Ireland and abroad enter the Junk Kouture 24/25 programme, where students develop full‑scale collections, submit them for judging and, if successful, showcase their work on stages in Dublin, London, New York, Milan, Paris, Los Angeles and Dubai. The initiative is more than a fashion contest; it is an educational platform that supplies lesson plans, timelines, submission guidelines and inspirational case studies to help teachers embed creative thinking, circularity and sustainable development into the curriculum.

Beyond the competition, Junk Kouture provides a suite of resources – from downloadable handbooks and multilingual educator hubs to live events, panel discussions and student documentaries – all aimed at fostering lasting behavioural change. In recognition of its impact, the organisation has been appointed a Sustainable Development Goal Champion by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, underscoring its commitment to the United Nations SDGs and to a greener, more inclusive future for young designers.