The intention of becoming the European leader in sustainable fashion by 2024 has led the fashion capital of the world France- known for its clothing and designer styles, has shifted its focus from couture to sustainable fashion.

The Lafayette Galeries is also offering a wider range of sustainable options. To join the initiative and to save the planet, even the smaller boutiques are incorporating upcycling into their styles along with popular brands such as Veja, Sézane, and Les Sublimes. Taking advantage of the situation the teen competition Junk Kouture has also expanded its competition to Paris, France.

To promote sustainable fashion and creativity among the students in Ireland Junk Kouture started as a small competition. But now, it has turned into a large-scale global competition consisting of celebrity guests and sold-out arenas full of cheering fans. This global platform unleashes the creative brilliance of young people through a fashion design competition where the world’s most talented emerging designers, engineers, artists, and performers visualize, create and model high-end couture from everyday junk.

In 2021, for the prestigious title of Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year, in digital competition participants from six countries will compete including France. Last year winners used unimaginable materials including Nespresso capsules, sea glass, and milk bottles. The teens crafted couture clothing using techniques and craftsmanship such as crochet, weaving, knitting, and embroidery techniques which wowed the judges.

Many of the designs were inspired by French culture. One such beautiful piece was “Coco de Eco” which was defined fashion as investing in pieces for a lifetime that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Another example of French-inspired couture sustainably and creatively was the Chanel-inspired look which was created using price tags collected from clothing purchases. The price bags were cut, shaped, and sprayed with silver to transform them into a backless crop top and classic culottes. Discarded beads, gems, bottle caps, and out-of-date pasta were used to create jackets overtop.

Another beautiful haute couture design, “Just My Impression” was inspired from a painting titled ‘Water Lilies’ by Claude Monet who was a pioneer of the French impressionist painting movement. Materials such as wooden fans, rope, rubber bicycle tubing, plastic water bottles, bamboo, and Perspex.