MARLBOROUGH – While other students spent their school vacation skiing or hitting the beach, Elliot Cosco was in Monaco, prowling the catwalk with their latest creation.
A senior at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School, Cosco was among 200 young aspiring designers, engineers and artists invited to compete in the Junk Kouture World Finals on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Cosco was one of two entrants from New England, and they were part of a group from New York City.
“Although we did not return a world winner, the experience of traveling to such an exquisite location and taking the stage with so many students from around the world left us with lasting memories of an enormous accomplishment,” said Deb Harper, an Assabet teacher who accompanied Cosco to Monaco.
In this competition, design teams from around the world are encouraged to create high-end couture from sustainable materials, also known as recycled junk.
“We use things that don’t deplete the Earth,” said Cosco.
Their entry, called “Egotist,” was created with a hoop skirt, scarves, wire hangers, an old sports bra, stars and ornaments; the helmet that tops it off came from an old costume.
Cosco said their three grandmothers contributed to the costume, with one grandmother teaching them how to sew.
“I kind of did it all growing up,” they said.
At Assabet, Cosco formed the school’s fashion club in 2022, which currently has 12 members.
“I just love that students can create this club,” said Harper.
“Egotist” made it to the world stage after winning a regional competition. For making the finals, Cosco and the other competitors – from France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, among others – were flown to and from Monaco, all expenses paid by Junk Kouture organizers and sponsors.
Cosco competed in the 2023 finals. The 2024 finals will be held this fall.
Part of the requirements for the competition involved creating a video for the entry. The video was done with help from Assabet’s audio/visual students.
“That’s one of the benefits at Assabet Valley,” said Harper.
When not putting together the latest look, Cosco plays flute in the school band, and they are a member of the Drama Club.
