LONDON RUNWAY
STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS FOUNDING A GREEN FUTURE This week Darcey Sergison looks at the increase in student-run companies at universities around the country and explores why their sustainability has sparked their popularity amongst other young people.
Today’s students are defining their futures and ours. They are not just gaining degrees from prestigious institutions, but they are also proving they can multi-task with running demanding brands. This is changing the widely held perception that they are the ‘snowflake’ generation. Instead they are being heralded for their entrepreneurship. This has come from the increase in student run businesses popping up on platforms such as Depop. However, not only do these student companies inspire others like myself to become more productive, but the ethos of these brands define our future in their desire for sustainability. These start-up businesses have begun where many brands wish to be, in that they value ethical and sustainable products and shipping.
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These businesses include profitable companies that pride themselves in upcycling. Whether it be jewellery or vintage jeans, this trend has hit many universities around the UK. I am sure that many students, like myself, have noticed the increase of student-run businesses at events, proving the popularity on campus for new exciting products. However, it must be noted that not only do these companies show that entrepreneurship has no age restriction, but also that the core ethos of these brands is their passion for being sustainable. For many this stretches from not just the product itself but also the packaging and postage process. Sustainability seems to be on the lips of most fashionable brands currently with a push for environmentally friendly practices within the world of fashion. The fair and ethical trading of fashion has become so popular now that many shop for the purpose of ensuring the environment is not damaged in the process, such as avoiding the use of fast fashion companies.
