Three Atlantic Technological University (ATU) students, have designed this year’s awards for the Junk Kouture Finals held in Monaco this week.

The awards, crafted with sustainability in mind, have been made from disused Covid-19 Perspex screens featuring freehand drawings, created by ATU students.

The awards were designed by students Lara Jane Doherty, Elizabete Klova, and Emer McLaughlin, who also attended the Junk Kouture World Finals, in Monaco, France on February 21 and 22. This marks ATU’s first time participating in the global event, where the university served as the supporting university partner.

Photo: ATU students Lara-Jane Doherty and Elizabete Klova, co-designers of the awards presented at this years Junk Kouture World Finals at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, France today (22 Feb). (Emer McLaughlin, ATU graduate not photographed has also designed awards for this year’s World Finals.)

The Junk Kouture World Finals is a live event that showcases sixty finalists from around the world, unveiling their eco-friendly couture creations on a world stage.

Lara Jane Doherty, currently studying the BA in Fashion with Promotion programme at ATU, also had the honour of presenting an award at the event that she designed. The ATU student has come full circle from her participation in the Junk Kouture competition as a secondary school student to now presenting an award as an up-and-coming designer.

Fellow ATU design student, Elizabete Klova, co-created the awards for the World Finals which she presented at the event.

ATU graduate Emer McLaughlin who also designed awards for this year’s World Finals, now works as a Junior Designer for Irish-based fashion company Carraig Donn.

Speaking at the event in Monaco, Fiona Kelly, Marketing and Student Recruitment Manager at ATU, said, “ATU’s participation and supporting partner role of Junk Kouture is significant. ATU’s reach goes beyond our regional borders and having a presence at this event demonstrates the national and international interest in the university. ATU’s 9 campuses offer 240 CAO programmes, and this event provides ATU with the opportunity to promote the wide range of programmes available at the university to a European and International audience. It is incredible for ATU to be part of this prestigious event and to see our wonderfully talented students involved in the design process and educational workshops.”