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BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion and Communication student Hannah Castleton teamed up with another student on her course, Darby Student, to create a charitable fashion agency. Here, Hannah, from Portsmouth, tells us what inspired them to embark on the project, and what they intend for it to achieve.

25th June 2018
Fashion

BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion and Communication student Hannah Castleton teamed up with another student on her course, Darby Student, to create a charitable fashion agency. Here, Hannah, from Portsmouth, tells us what inspired them to embark on the project, and what they intend for it to achieve.

Tell us about your final major project

My final major project was a collaborative project with fellow fashion promotion student, Darby Student, where we created The Generation Girl. The Generation Girl is the south coast's first charitable fashion agency. Our key aim is to provide empowerment and well-being for all women through the movement of fashion, clothing and communication. The agency consists of a number of products and services available online and offline. Our most popular is GENGIRL Clothing, which is a clothing line designed and produced by us and sold on our website. Twenty per cent of each sale is donated to help a local female charity. It is through our channels that we hope to encourage our local community to get on board and join our movement of keeping women's rights at the forefront of the conversation and change.

Hannah Castleton and Darby Student GENGIRL clothing

What was the inspiration behind your project?

The inspiration for The Generation Girl came from a number of different things. Firstly, founding members have a strong passion and attraction to charity, from shopping in charity shops, to having strong desires to help inspire and educate through charity work. Secondly, seeing fashion and charitable agencies thrive in destinations such as London - Dress for Success and Charity Fashion Live are big influencers to The Generation Girl. It was seeing the amazing work they do for both industries that inspired us to create something unique of our own to help promote the message of social good through fashion.

What have you enjoyed most about your time at Solent?

I have enjoyed many things about my time at university, but the number one has to be meeting like-minded people who are interested and share the same passions as I do. I have also learnt so many new skills and gained so much more confidence.

Hannah Castleton and Darby Student GENGIRL clothing

What's next for you?

I hope to continue my work with The Generation Girl - dedicate as much time as possible to it around working, and hopefully continue to watch it grow. I am also seeking job opportunities abroad as I hope I can take the skills I have learnt and start my career overseas, blending my passion for travel with my love for fashion.

What advice would you give to other students or potential students?

Follow your passions and create them into your own unique projects. Don't be afraid to ask for help and be proactive in your own learning and journey. Keeping organised has always helped me too!

Feeling inspired? Find out more about our fashion courses