L-R: Emily Pederson and Alanna Robidoux-Couto, of the Fairhaven High School National Art Society, work on “Kraken,”’ an outift made from entirely recycled materials, that was accepted for the international competition in Dublin in March, 2025. Submitted photo by Drew Furtado.
By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven High School National Art Society has earned their place in the top 10 in the nation for the Junk Kouture Contest. They are headed to Dublin, Ireland, to showcase their skills to an international audience.
The group needs $5,500 to cover chaperone support for safe travel, meals, daily essentials, transportation, and luggage fees to transport the students and their “Kraken” design.
“Your support ensures a safe, enriching, and unforgettable experience as they showcase their creativity on the world stage in Dublin!” writes Jamie Lynch, Program Leader on their fund-raising page.
In the global Junk Kouture Contest, young designers create high-fashion pieces from recycled materials. Teh FHS entry, “Kraken,” embodies creativity, sustainability, and environmental advocacy, highlighting our students’ remarkable talent and vision!
Alanna Robidoux-Couto presented the project to the School Committee on 1/8/25 for approval, representing the team which also includes Emily Pedersen.*
Ms. Robidoux-Couto explained that the outfit had to be from completely recycled materials.
“We spend months creating this outfit,” she told the committee.
The team used materials they had, and found stuff on the beach.
The Kraken is like the evil monster in the ocean, explained Ms. Robidoux-Couto, but it’s not really evil, it’s anger.
“Its just the anger that I think a lot of younger people feel towards climate change and their inability to do anything at a young age,” she said.
She grew up seeing the trash at Fort Phoenix, so finding a way to take pieces of trash and turn them into something good, was “really special for me,” she told the committee.
The trip will be from March 2–5, with the competition day on 3/4, which just happens to be her 18th birthday.
You can see her presentation at teh SC meeting at FairhavenTV.com
To donate to help the students get to the competition, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n7pespv
As of press time, the students had raised $2,120 of their $5,500 goal
*Changes name from previous version.
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