Junk Kouture and Creative Ireland presents ‘Waking the Muse’
A documentary by Seán Treacy and Órla Morris Toolen
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Meet Techinee Nawaing, Cian Newman, and Niamh Porter, three young creatives who joined the Junk Kouture community while in secondary school in Ireland and who have gone on to pursue their passion for art, fashion and design after their participation in the competition. They are the subjects of a brand-new documentary, commissioned by the Creative Ireland Programme and Junk Kouture, ‘Waking the Muse’, with young award-winning Irish filmmaker Seán Treacy (17) and Junk Kouture Production Coordinator Órla Morris Toolen (21) acting as co-directors and producers.
The documentary follows 19-year-old Techinee – known as New – from Athlone, Cian (20) from Dublin and Niamh (24) from Donegal as they are challenged to work together to design, source and create a unique design to be modelled in New York for Climate Week NYC during which Junk Kouture was the Sustainable Living partner this year. The three designers are guided by Junk Kouture judge and successful fashion designer Stephen McLaughlin as they demonstrate what it takes to produce a Junk Kouture masterpiece.
Illustrating that Junk Kouture is much more than just a competition, ‘Waking the Muse’ will allow viewers to learn more about what inspired these past participants to become involved in Junk Kouture in the first place and what they gained from their experience. It will explore the positive effects on mental health a community like Junk Kouture can have for the individual, the opportunities that lie ahead for anyone who takes part, and how this is a platform for young people to express themselves freely, while embracing sustainable habits and becoming the changemakers of our world.
Throughout the documentary, each designer shares their story of what Junk Kouture meant for them. New joined Transition Year in Our Lady’s Bower in Athlone when she moved to Ireland from Thailand. At the time New had very little English but, encouraged by her art teacher, she became involved in Junk Kouture where she not only exhibited her creative brilliance but made new friends and improved her command of English. Past pupil of St Aiden’s CBS Whitehall and NCAD student Cian took the honour of being the first entrant of Junk Kouture from an All-Boys school, while for Niamh it brought her from the art room in Deele College, Raphoe to New York City, assisting on designs for Michelle Obama and actress Zendaya.
The world premiere of ‘Waking the Muse’, supported by the Creative Ireland Programme will take place in the Savoy Cinema on O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 on Thursday 28th October 2021. The documentary will also be aired by RTÉ on Saturday 30th October on RTÉ2 at 4.05pm. The Creative Ireland Programme is an initiative by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media which aims to support and develop engagement with and in arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities, thereby enriching individual and community well-being, as well as promoting Ireland’s arts and culture globally.
Director of the Creative Ireland Programme Tania Banotti said: “The Creative Ireland Programme is delighted to support the production and now screening of this amazing story of creativity, of collaboration – and importantly of personal development and growth. This is a story about young people and by young people – so on behalf of the Creative Ireland Programme, I would like to congratulate Sean, Orla, Techinee, Cian and Niamh. The Creative Ireland Programme, and especially our work in implementing the Creative Youth Plan, is not only about providing opportunities to be creative – whatever form that takes. It is about supporting collaboration and partnership; it is about supporting our individual and collective wellbeing. Engaging in creative activities helps us to not only develop our creative skills and talents, but also a range of other skills, competencies and, dare I say, qualities that are vital to us all.”
CEO of Junk Kouture Troy Armour said: “Junk Kouture is all about celebrating the creativity, talent and resilience of young people. Talented young film makers Sean and Orla have created an outstanding film which showcases the stories of Techinee, Cian and Niamh and the positive impact Junk Kouture has had on each of them. Junk Kouture aims to promote the importance of creativity for a more sustainable future and drives innovation by encouraging young people to address climate change through their designs. Thank you to Creative Ireland for their support to Junk Kouture. I am very excited for everyone to see this documentary which sheds a light on the hard work and passion behind every Junk Kouture creation.”
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For more, contact: Lindsey – lindsey@lhpublicity.ie Sorcha – sorcha@hpublicity.ie
Notes to Editors:
Documentary maker bios:
Seán Treacy
Seán Treacy (17) is a young Irish film maker, aspiring director and producer. Seán won over 30 awards and selections in both national and international festivals and has even been titled ‘Ireland’s Young Film Maker of the Year’ at the Fresh Film Festival in Ireland on two occasions. No stranger to talking to the camera Seán has accumulated over 1 million views on his YouTube Channel and made his presenting debut on RTÉ Kids show ‘Ace My Space’.
As a film maker, being involved in a platform as inspiring, innovative and expressive as Junk Kouture has been an incredible journey for Seán. Seán has created content for Junk Kouture before so was delighted to be handed the task of filming and editing this documentary and what he says is one of his biggest projects to date! Seán is ecstatic to be bringing this documentary to your screen and is looking forward to presenting backstage, at the Junk Kouture Grand Final this year which will be broadcasted on RTÉ.
Órla Morris Toolen
Starting in the world of production from age 10, Órla Morris Toolen began her presenting career in RTÉ Junior. Presenting on two shows, Órla (21) became their red-carpet presenter, interviewing names such as Kenneth Brannagh, The Cast of Dance Moms, Olly Murs and The Script to name but a few. Órla’s passion for production also allowed her to experience ‘behind the camera’ roles on set as she worked on multiple live and pre-recorded broadcasts for RTÉ and Virgin Media One.
Now working as Production Coordinator for Junk Kouture, Órla is thrilled to be given the opportunity to do both presenting and behind the screen work. Órla feels that Junk Kouture has provided the ultimate safe, creative space for youth to be who and what they want. Having watched Junk Kouture create inclusive and diverse environments for young people across the world Órla is honored to be part of the Junk Kouture family and is delighted to be presenting backstage at the 2021 Grand Final, with Seán Treacy, airing on RTÉ later this year.
About Junk Kouture
Junk Kouture has been challenging post-primary school students across the island of Ireland to create high-end designs from junk for 11 years. Incorporating elements of environmental sustainability, fashion, art, design, and engineering, Junk Kouture annually showcases aspiring designers aged 13 – 18-years from across Ireland as they rise to the challenge to create wearable fashion – the golden rule being that everything used must be 100% recycled. Junk Kouture has recently launched in five new locations around the world: London, New York, Paris, Milan and the UAE. Junk Kouture will roll out in these territories ahead of the first ever World Final in 2022. In Ireland, Junk Kouture is powered by RTÉ and supported by the Creative Ireland Programme. The 2021 Grand Final is set to air on RTÉ2 and stream on the RTÉ player later this year as the final was redesigned due to Covid-19.