Jade's dog hair business has its day

Jade Evans’ ‘Hair of the Dog’ scooped first prize in the Santander University of Brighton Ideas Competition 2019, run by the university’s entrepreneur support service beepurple, in which students and recent graduates pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.

‘Hair of the Dog’, which aims to “make a change within the textiles production industry”, builds on Jade’s current project in her MDes Textiles with Business Studies degree.

Santander Universities awarded £1500, £1000 and £750 sums to the first, second and third place winners, while the three runners up receive £250 and 10 highly commended entries are awarded £100.

Other companies offering support and guidance to the finalists and runner-ups include: The Good Business Club, Atkinsons Chartered Accountants, MDHUB, Inngot, Mayo Wynne Baxter, The Projects, Oasthouse Ventures, Grizzly Bear and Sister Snog.

Reacting to her first prize, Jade said: “I am very honoured to have been chosen as the winner. I have been developing and working towards this project for just under 18 months as part of my textiles studies, and it is something I have become very passionate about.”

Jade Evans with her first prize. Photo by Victoria Dawes

Lily Rodgers with her second prize. Photo by Victoria Dawes

“I never expected the idea to be as successful as it is already. I can’t wait to start making my little dream into a real life business and success with help from the amazing group of sponsors.”

Second prize went to MDes Textiles with Business Studies student Lily Rodgers’ SundayBest Knitwear, which proposes to be an “antidote” to fast fashion by encouraging consumers to be active participants in the design and manufacture of their own garments.

Lily said: “I am very grateful for this amazing opportunity and for all the support from the beepurple team. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

Of SundayBest Knitwear, Lily added: “I want to encourage people into the craft of knitting not just as a fashionable creative craft but also as an activity to support wellbeing.

“My idea developed in my final year studying MDes Textiles with Business Studies in which I have been exploring how creating strong connections between people and their clothing can inform more sustainable fashion outlooks and this inspired my business idea.”

University of Brighton graduate Mia Pledger and Melenie Schatynski were awarded third prize for their Ocobox project, an app which helps teach young people coding skills and resilience.

Runners-up are: Dale Mass’s Lignum Lux, bespoke designs made from opaque natural woods; Zachariah Salvage’s EDGE, a social club for adult with disabilities; and William Challis and Tom Mason’s Cluster, a platform that uses an algorithm to tailor breakfasts to each individual’s nutritional needs.