Two Solihull College & University Centre Retail students have taken over the window displays of local charity shops in a bid to raise vital funds.
Retail students Dannielle Dixon and Zoe Michaels redesigned the windows after winning a competition hosted by the Children’s Air Ambulance charity where they were tasked with using handbags to create ideas for a window display in the Solihull and Kings Heath stores as part of the Air Ambulance’s annual Handbag Amnesty.
The campaign aims to encourage people to donate unwanted handbags to the shop in a bid to raise vital funds to continue to fly critically ill children across the UK to the specialist care they need.
Dannielle, aged 19, whose design featured handbags hanging from the ceiling of the Kings Heath shop, said she took inspiration from a hairdresser’s shop window.
Danielle commented: “I recently saw a hairdresser’s window that had plant pots hanging from the ceiling and this inspired my idea with hanging the handbags. I chose subtle bunting of small handbags as I didn’t want them to overpower the lovely clothes and bags on display.”
At the Solihull store, 17-year-old Zoe’s winning design featured hanging cut-outs and balloons.
Describing her excitement at being chosen as a winner, Zoe said: “I really enjoyed putting together the window display – I love being creative and I am studying fashion retail so this is exactly the type of thing I love doing. I hope the window attracts lots of interest for the Handbag Amnesty initiative and loads of people both donate and buy bags – it is such a brilliant cause, I have loved being involved.”
Each live-saving transfer in the Children’s Air Ambulance costs £2,800, so the charity is urging local residents to visit the displays and continue to donate handbags and give generously.
The competition has been an excellent opportunity for the Solihull College students as they have been able to use the knowledge and skills taught on their course and put them into practice which allows them to gain that invaluable work experience.
For more information on the courses, including retail, available at Solihull College & University Centre visit www.solihull.ac.uk / retail courses or call 0121 678 7000.
