As part of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, Kingston College Level 3 BTEC Fashion students showcased their botanical-themed garments in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. The event marked 60 years of award-winning fashion in Kingston and was a collaboration between The Community Brain, Kingston College and Kingston University.
Students Sophie Cooper, Chloe Cowan, Avery Dunn and Miel Samson were proud to represent the College, with Robin Hutchinson MBE, Director of The Community Brain, praising them as “a delight” and “representing the College brilliantly” during the Duchess’s visit to the installation Willow Woman.
The 4.8m sculpture, made from sustainably sourced willow, highlights fashion’s environmental impact and the importance of reuse, upcycling and natural materials. After the festival, Willow Woman will move to Wild Tolworth, London’s largest rewilding project.
The installation is part of a wider year-long programme celebrating Kingston’s fashion legacy, from Kingston School of Art’s, now Kingston University, global reputation to local fashion businesses such as Oliver Bonas. The initiative also explores fashion’s future in the face of sustainability and ethical challenges.
