BTEC Fashion, Textile & Costume students from Kingston College have reached an exciting milestone in their work experience project with Princess Alice Hospice, as their winning designs are now proudly showcased in the charity’s Kingston shop window, opposite John Lewis.
The project began as a live brief challenging students to create a contemporary “total look” using donated garments, promoting sustainability and raising awareness of the environmental impact of fast fashion. Working in groups, students developed creative concepts inspired by themes such as Jewel, Wildcard and Aquatic, presenting their final designs alongside mood boards and 3D display concepts. Now, five standout outfits from the Wildcard and Jewel groups have been selected and brought to life in a real retail setting, allowing the public to see their work on display.
The opportunity to have their designs featured in a high‑street window has given students invaluable real‑world experience and a sense of pride in their creative achievements. Alongside this, Level 3 Photography students supported the project by producing professional images of the collections, which will continue to be used by the charity.
This collaboration has not only developed students’ design and technical skills but also reinforced important messages around sustainability - encouraging us all to buy better, wear longer, upcycle and reuse.
Feedback from Princess Alice Hospice highlighted the exceptional standard of work, with Campaign Manager Marine Knight commenting: “The creativity and technical skills on display were nothing short of exceptional… they’ve shown us that sustainable style is achievable and exciting.”
We extend a huge thank you to Princess Alice Hospice for their continued partnership and for providing such a meaningful and inspiring opportunity. Seeing the students’ work displayed in the heart of Kingston is a proud moment and a fantastic showcase of their talent.
