Student Voice | Fashion, initiative and making connections
Royal High voices, Sixth Form
Spotlighting student voice and leadership
As part of our commitment to spotlighting student voice and leadership, we’re proud to share the story of Flora and Ella (Year 12), who have been busy taking part in many fashion – related endeavours to enrich their experience in the industry.
From being immersed in the Bath Fashion Festival last year to taking part in a Bath Fashion Museum digital workshop. And now helping South West Children’s hospice to put on their fashion show over the summer. Amongst all this activity, Flora has, with the support of Ella, initiated “The Girls' Fashion Collective”, a GDST-wide online forum, for sharing fashion industry information. They have been busy!
Their involvement in the Bath Fashion festival, in particular, held at the Holburne Museum, offered a valuable glimpse into the professional world of fashion and inspired them to take their interest further. Below, Ella and Flora reflect on their experience in their own words:
Flora, Year 12:
“I went to the exhibition and catwalk on the Sunday — it was incredible! Seeing original Vivienne Westwood pieces up close was so inspiring, and I was lucky enough to watch interviews with Bay Garnett, who spoke about sustainable fashion, and Robert Fairer, the fashion photographer. The final runway show, which Ella helped prepare, was full of fresh, creative designers. It really opened my eyes to how many different paths and voices are shaping the fashion industry today.”
Ella, Year 12:
“On the 21st–22nd September, I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer at the Bath Fashion Festival at the Holburne Museum. I worked behind the runway with award-winning stylists Bay Garnett and Jade Parfitt, helping to dress models and prepare looks by Alice Temperley and Bath Spa University students. Being completely immersed in the world of fashion was unforgettable — the energy, the creativity, and the professionalism backstage were like nothing I’d experienced before. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in fashion or events.”
The Girls’ Fashion Collective – driven by Flora
Through visiting different universities last autumn, Flora was particularly inspired to initiate The Girls’ Fashion Collective (or GFC) — a student-led initiative aimed at connecting GDST students in Year 11 and above who share a passion for fashion and design. With Flora's initiative and support from Karen Kimura at the GDST and RHB staff, the collective has already hosted virtual talks with Alumna making their way in fashion.
Flora sees the purpose of the collective as:
- For GDST fashion students to learn and collaborate with each other.
- To learn from GDST alumna who have gone into the fashion industry.
- To help each other with portfolio and application advice.
- To develop a network.
- To demonstrate the benefits of collaboration over the competition which often arises between individual designers.
They are particularly looking forward to welcoming guest speaker Ginnie Chadwyk Healey in an upcoming session — a visit made possible with the kind assistance of Melanie Whalley, our Head of Careers.
Looking ahead: Fashion for good
Ella and Flora’s next steps are just as inspiring. They’ll both be returning to Bath Fashion Weekend at the Holburne this autumn.
They are also undertaking work experience this summer to help organise a charity fashion show at Bath Abbey, in aid of the South West Children’s Hospice. The event will give them the chance to work directly with local designers and retailers, combining creativity with meaningful impact.
What began as a weekend volunteering opportunity has since grown into a student-led movement — one that champions creativity, collaboration and initiative across the GDST. We look forward to seeing how The Girls’ Fashion Collective continues to evolve and inspire others.
