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Six Solent University fashion students took over the Foreign Office in a new Dream Big video, from the UK Government’s major international marketing initiative, the GREAT Britain Campaign.

16th January 2020

Six Solent University fashion students took over the Foreign Office in a new Dream Big video, from the UK Government’s major international marketing initiative, the GREAT Britain Campaign.

The video features some of the country’s top young designers, models, stylists and hair and make-up artists from member universities of Graduate Fashion Week including Lois Ford, Oonagh Bottalico, Freya Paxton, Evangaline Hutchinson, Kiera O’Brien and Katie Weldon, who made up the BA (Hons) Make-up & Hair Design team from Solent.

Dame Zandra Rhodes, Lifetime Patron of GFF and Graduate Fashion Foundations President, Hilary Alexander OBE, played cameo roles in the video which encourages brands to recruit their next generation of talent from the UK.

Hilary Alexander OBE said: “Graduate Fashion Foundation is extremely proud to be working with the GREAT Britain Campaign on such a creative opportunity, showcasing exceptional young talents.

“This video campaign is a great opportunity for six of our final-year hair and make-up students and ten select fashion and styling graduates to work with industry and showcase their talent to the world.

“These young creatives are at the forefront of a generation who will revolutionise the way we design, manufacture and wear our garments. Whether it is addressing the world’s plastic crisis or exploring new scientific techniques, our universities and students are setting the standard for a sustainable future.”

The GREAT Britain Campaign unveiled the new initiative, which was shot in the iconic Locarno Suite in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and will be used throughout 2020 at major fashion events and trade conferences.

Liz Truss, Secretary of State for the Department for International Trade, explained: "The UK is a global leader in the fashion industry and our talented students are the future of this sector. The industry is booming, creating 890,000 jobs and contributing £32 billion to the UK economy. There is no better place in the world for businesses to unearth the next generation of stars."

“Working at London Fashion Week for Fashion Scout has been one of the best experiences of my course so far,” said Oonagh Bottalico. “It really was an amazing opportunity to meet people and work behind the scenes creating amazing makeup looks. I’m really excited by the future opportunities it may bring and I can’t wait to start working in the industry once I graduate!”