How to enter

Global participation

Junk Kouture is open to eligible participants worldwide.

Ireland, the United Kingdom and Italy are Junk Kouture Operating Markets, with dedicated competitions delivered in each country.

All other countries participate through Global Entry, including the USA, France and UAE.

Qualifying designs from both Operating Markets and Global Entry can progress to the Junk Kouture World Final.

Age requirement

Creators must be aged 12–19 and enrolled in secondary, post-primary or equivalent education.

For the 2026–2027 competition:

• If you are 12 on 31 December 2027, you are eligible.
• If you are 19 on 31 December 2027, you are eligible.
• If you are under 12 on 31 December 2027, you are not eligible.
• If you turn 20 on or before 31 December 2027, you are not eligible.

Team size

Each design can have 1–3 Creators. The person modelling the design must be one of the registered Creators, and each Creator can enter one design only.

Original work

Your concept, construction and final design must be your team's own work. Advice and technical guidance are allowed, but someone else cannot create the design for you.

Material requirements

Designs must be made primarily from recycled, repurposed, recovered or discarded materials and demonstrate circular thinking.

Design safety

Your design must be safe to wear, move and perform in and comply with all published materials and safety requirements.

Submission

All required design information and materials must be submitted through the official Junk Kouture platform by the published deadline.

Competition pathway

Ireland progresses through Regional and National Finals; the UK and Italy through National Finals; and Global Entry through the Online Festival of Finals. Qualifying designs progress to the World Final.

Judging

Designs are judged on creativity, circular thinking, execution, craftsmanship, storytelling, stage presentation and overall impact. Judges' decisions are final.

World Final travel

World Final teams are responsible for their own travel to and from the host city, including flights, passports, visas and insurance. Junk Kouture provides the confirmed official in-destination support.

Design transportation

Designs must be transportable. When creating your design, consider its size, weight and durability. It is your responsibility to ensure your design can be safely packed and transported to Junk Kouture events, including the World Final.

Code of conduct

Creators, Educators and accompanying adults must behave safely, respectfully and inclusively and follow all Junk Kouture safeguarding and event requirements.

Design ownership

Your design remains yours. By entering, you give Junk Kouture permission to use competition content, photography and footage to deliver and promote the competition.

Disqualification

Failure to meet eligibility, originality, safety, safeguarding, conduct or other competition requirements may result in disqualification.