Fashion designer inspires creativity

A renowned British fashion designer helped inspire the next generation to pursue creativity in their lives and careers when he met them this week.

Year 10 and 11 pupils from Chetwynde School enjoyed an audience with Wayne Hemingway MBE at the University of Cumbria’s new Barrow campus.

Speaking on a wide range of topics the co-founder of trailblazing fashion retailer Red or Dead spoke about his love of going out dancing, attending gigs and travel and the importance of doing things for fun.

Pupils listened first hand as Wayne shared his journey from creating iconic brands to leading national and international projects focused on regeneration, placemaking and social impact.

Quizzing the pupils about their career ambitions Year 11 student Gray Sutherland told him about his love for performing arts and his ambition to be on the stage.

“You are going to have knock backs at some stage even if you feel getting nowhere you should keep going,” Wayne told him. “It’s is doing it that’s important, have a go and do not be afraid to fail as you learn so much.”

He told them that while studying for qualifications is important – and he’d done well at school – it was even more important to put yourself out your comfort zone sometimes and experience new things.

“Never let anyone tell you where you’re from can affect your future,” said the Morecambe-born designer.

He then challenged them to tell him their views on what the town needs to attract talent and for them to feel good about the town.

“What does this town need to be an exciting town that will attract people to come to it from all around the world and be happy here?” he said.

The pupils spoke about their love of music, skating, sports and the need in Barrow for a space to gather socially.

Wayne, who is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Cumbria, outlined how as part of the Team Barrow project, under the banner of Barrow Rising, the town has the most investment of any other town in the country.

“The ambition of the town has to go up and if you rose up together and have ideas they have to listen.”

Chetwynde Teacher Charlotte Strafford said the message linking creativity, community and responsibility had really resonated with students and they were thrilled to be invited to attend by the University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Growth and Development Claire Aindow, who is also a school governor.

“One of the highlights of the day was seeing our pupils confidently voice their own opinions about Barrow, its identity and its future. It was fantastic to watch them engage thoughtfully with big ideas about place, people and how design can improve lives,” she said.

“This experience was particularly valuable for our GCSE Art and Design pupils, giving them a real insight into how creative industries connect with business, communities and even government policy.

“It was a truly motivating and memorable visit that has left our pupils inspired and full of ideas for the future.”

The school will hold its Creative Careers Day on June 18th bringing industry professionals together to inspire careers in the creative sector.

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