LMETB’s Youthreach Navan centre are looking forward to showcasing their design “Batik Chic” at the upcoming Dublin City Finals of Junk Kouture.

Junk Kouture is a sustainable fashion competition which aims to challenge young people to design, upcycle and create high end Kouture from recycled junk, giving them the opportunity to showcase their design and represent their schools/centres on stage.

From over 1200 designs submitted from schools and centre across Ireland, the Youthreach Navan piece was shortlisted in the final 60, and will be part of the Dublin City Final at the 3 Arena.

This is a huge accomplishment for the centre’s students, the amazing designers Blue Sherlock and Micheala Nugent and fantastic model Leah Holland, and the centre staff are so proud of all they have achieved over the past months preparing for the show.

Batik Chic is an upcycled jumpsuit reclaimed from Recreate Dublin and adorned with batik fabric artwork. The Batik fabric artwork was created by past Youthreach students and the late Youthreach Navan Co-Ordinator Sharon Maher, who sadly passed away in October 2023. This design is in memory of Sharon’s legacy and all the support she gave to learners in Youthreach Navan.

The piece also symbolises the work Sharon did in promoting the WorldWise Global Schools Programme in the centre, in an effort to reduce waste, be more sustainable in everyday life and combat fast fashion.

Everything about the Batik Chic design reflects the vibrant colourful life that Sharon led.

Well done to the Batik Chic Team and the Art Department at Youthreach Navan on your achievement.