Genevieve showcases her work in The Caribbean
Ardcroney’s Genevieve Keane, an exceptionally talented student of the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, and a celebrated alumni of Junk Kouture, has unveiled her sustainable haute couture collection ‘Vengeance’ as an invited guest fashion designer at Aruba Fashion Week 2023 staged in the Caribbean.
Inspired by Greek mythological women, her collection consists of five striking creations, each meticulously crafted from repurposed materials in a bid to champion sustainability and creativity in the fashion industry.
Keane's collection, showcased at the entrance of the Aruba Marriot on November 3 and 4, is a testament to her inventive use of recycled materials and her profound artistic vision. The designs pay homage to iconic figures from Greek mythology, with Design 1 ‘Medusa’, Design 2 ‘Athena, Goddess’, and Design 3 ‘Calisto Hunter Nymph’ incorporating materials generously donated by Baird McNutt Irish Linen, Jillian Fitzgibbon from Limerick School of Art and Design and Sylvia and Julian Reynolds who donated 100-year-old lace.
Notably, Design 4, ‘Chloris’, ingeniously incorporates wallpaper, metal boning, drawing paper and white lace donated by Donegal Yarns, Albany Ireland and Abbey Furniture (Nenagh), showcasing Keane's commitment to utilising unconventional materials in her haute couture.
INNOVATION
However, the pièce de résistance, Design 5 ‘Amphitrite’, the goddess of the sea, draws attention to the global issue of waste in our oceans.
Keane's innovative use of materials, such as plastic bags and netting collected from the shorelines of Aruba, beautifully captures the essence of her collection, highlighting the urgent need for environmental consciousness in fashion.
The logistical challenge of transporting the collection from Tipperary to the heart of the Caribbean for Aruba Fashion Week was successfully managed by Junk Kouture's official logistics partner, DHL Ireland. Genevieve, the recipient of the 2022 Junk Kouture Cultural Couture Award, expressed her gratitude and excitement, stating: “This was an incredible opportunity to be invited as a guest designer. This is not an opportunity that many 18-year-olds get in Ireland, getting to showcase a complete collection. I want to thank my local community and family for their continuous support, assisting with my flights and donating materials and also Junk Kouture and DHL Ireland for help making this happen.”
Her journey from Junk Kouture to the global stage of Aruba Fashion Week underscores the significance of nurturing young talent in the sustainable fashion landscape.
Keane's innovative and eco-conscious approach to design serves as an inspiration for aspiring designers and industry professionals alike.
Keane’s latest success follows her world winning title bestowed on her last January when her creation won the Cultural Couture Award at the World Junk Kouture Final in Abu Dhabi. She sourced wool from a neighbouing farmer's sheep and an old potato sack to create a costume made from these items and other waste material that won the hearts of judges