Creative Industries students completed an inspirational and innovative work experience with local charity, The Community Brain, with a live project inspired by the Chessington Industrial Estate in the 1960-70s and factories such as GALA cosmetics. The work was created and then exhibited at The Hook Centre so that the local community could enjoy their heritage. The Opening Event took place the evening of Thursday 23rd February was well attended by students, their parents and members of the local community.
Rebecca Perkins, Employability Co-Ordinator at Kingston College, who was instrumental in the planning and organisation of the exhibition said: “It was lovely to meet people who had a real connection with the estate and had previously worked in the Gala Factory.”
3D Design student, Chrystalla Kiti found the experience “fun and refreshing”. She said: “I was able to use a lot of other machines that I have never used before like the Vacuum-former. I enjoyed working in a group with lots of ideas and creative differences.”
Photography students, Libby Capon, Shanelle Josephs and Nora Oliobi Agorreta, took photos at the Opening Event, commenting: ““It felt different to being in the studio. We had to think about taking photos of moving people and had to be confident in asking them whether they minded being photographed. It was a great experience.”
Media Make-Up student, Guilia Di Mauro who offered 60s and 70s makeovers on the opening night, said: “I enjoyed my work experience since it allows students to explore new opportunities in the future.”
The idea behind the exhibition came from Robin Hutchinson, Director of The Community Brain and Chair of Creative Youth. He explained: “The Community Brain is working on a project to review the importance of industrial and trading estates in our future economy. In a post Covid/Brexit landscape it is highly likely that we will need more ideas, inventions, pilot and prototyping and manufacturing and estates offering this opportunity. Many are under threat and few are valued and recognised in the storytelling of place. We would like to look at the Chessington Cox Lane Industrial Estate as a pilot for reframing the narrative and celebrating the activity that takes place there. The estate has, in recent history, been one of the areas of highest job growth with around 75 businesses. It has the Borough’s largest private employer and is home to cloud computing and pharmaceuticals.
“Tolworth, where the industrial estate is sited, is going through more regeneration than almost any other area of the borough bringing pressures on land use. This is a unique moment to capture the present, celebrate the past and help imagine a future. To give local residents, businesses and people working on the estate the stories that help spread the importance of the estate into neighbouring high streets, schools and businesses. One such story is that of GALA Cosmetics who produced Mary Quant’s iconic make-up of the 1960 and 70s as well as Boots 17. We want to celebrate the fact that products from this estate influenced world fashion and celebrate the locals who worked there.”
Work Produced by Kingston College, Creative Industries Students
- Art & Design and Digital, Games & Animation - Cardboard sculptures inspired by Gala Cosmetics and Gala posters promoting the exhibition
- Graphic Design - Creative brand imagery, advertising posters and packaging for cosmetics
- 3D Design and Architecture - Sculptures inspired by the Chessington Industrial Estate and the Gala makeup industry
- Fashion, Textiles & Costume - Mini dresses from the 60-70’s
- Media Make-Up - Offered free make-up makeovers in the 60-70’s style
