Student wins competition to design Beatson Cancer Charity product range

A Glasgow Caledonian University student has won a competition to design a lifestyle product range for Beatson Cancer Charity.

The range of outdoor clothing inspired by the journey cancer patients and their families go through will help to raise vital funds for cancer care.

It follows a competition in collaboration with kilt store Slanj as part of a module on fashion branding at the university.

Isabel will receive £500, from competition sponsor Curtis Moore Ltd to further develop her winning concept which incorporates Beatson's official tartan.

She also received £250 prize money, which she kindly donated to Beatson Cancer Charity.

The winning design was named 'Beanntan' which is Gaelic for mountains.

 Isabel's winning designs

Isabel said: "The idea behind the range was to reflect the journey cancer patients, their families and friends go through.

“I have a personal connection to the charity because every woman in my family has had breast cancer. 

"I think this made it extra emotional for me and I had a kind of flashback to everything my family had been through when I heard that I’d won. 

"I never thought one of my products would be sold one day, it's overwhelming."

Students on GCU's MSc International Fashion Marketing and BA (Hons) International Fashion Branding were asked to pitch ideas to create lifestyle products that can be manufactured locally and sold to raise funds and increase awareness of the charity’s services.

Six shortlisted projects, ranging from headscarves and bracelets for young cancer patients, tartan umbrellas and candles to shopping trolleys, sportswear, and kitchen products, were presented to the judges using computer-aided design software.

A @CaledonianNews student has won a competition to design a product range for Beatson Cancer Charity.

The contest was organised in collaboration with @slanjkilts as part of a fashion marketing module.

Isabel will receive £500 from @curtismooreclad to develop her winning idea 💛 pic.twitter.com/tydwqwk557 BeatsonCancerCharity (@Beatson_Charity) February 10, 2022

Aileen Stewart, leader of the Fashion Brand Development module at GCU, said: “The collaboration with the Beatson Cancer Charity has been a fantastic opportunity to develop new innovative products with sustainability at the core.

"As the University for the Common Good, we're delighted to see our students make a real difference and help such a worthwhile cause."​

Ginette Hamilton, trading development fundraiser at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “The tutors and students have gone way beyond our expectations with this project.  

“It was so difficult for us to choose just one overall winner. Isabel’s range of outdoor wear and accessories ticked all the boxes for us. 

“Designed with practicality in mind it takes account of current trends in outdoor activities and fits well with the needs and interests of our supporters and fundraising activities."

Kathleen McLaren, head of trading at the charity, added: “I would like to congratulate everyone who took part in the project – we were blown away by the entries.

“This is a real opportunity to enhance our product range to create a wider audience appeal with the ultimate goal of raising more funds to help more people.” ​

Thank you to Glasgow Caledonian University, Slanj and Curtis Moore Ltd for their support with this project. Well done to Isabel and all the others who entered!