Pioneers wanted…

The Platform One College of Music is expanding its horizons by moving to provide a wider range of creative courses and give Island students the opportunity to become ‘pioneers’.

To mark the change, the college is changing its name to Platform One Creative Education, and expanding its curriculum and opportunities. The first phase of the development is the launch of a new Sustainable Fashion Department, which will be opening its doors in September.

Platform One director, David Pontin, explained their future plans include adding subjects such as digital industries, media and event and festival management. He added that the change for the successful college has come about as a result of the “synergy between the fashion and music industry”. As an add-on to the curriculum, sustainable fashion students will be designing and making outfits for the Platform One music acts at the college.

The new department will be based in the Wadhams building in St James’ Square, previously occupied by Top Shop. Building works and development have been overseen by architects ERMC. Downstairs there will be a cafe and bar open to the public, and on the second floor, there will be a shop in which students can sell their designs. All materials will be recycled from previous uses, with a ban on buying new fabric.

The building development includes the restoration of the shop front back to its original design. There will be a brand new innovative and industry-facing course leading to a BA in Sustainable Fashion, written by Platform One and validated through the University of Chichester. Study programmes will also include a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma run by Karen Harverson, a fashion and textiles teacher previously based at the Island VI Form. The programme will offer the first full-time fashion course for post-16 Island students.

When asked about the content of the courses, David told the IW Observer: “The curriculum will be very industry focused. This course is one of the first sustainable fashion degrees in the country. As I have said before, our graduates are pioneers that shift the change.”

The degree material has been written in collaboration with the talented and experienced Hannah Woodford. Hannah graduated from the University of Brighton with a First Class Honours in Fashion Textiles Design with Business Studies.

Hannah said: “I am so proud to be working with Platform One on this new venture. This is such an important opportunity for the Isle of Wight and something that I have been working towards for many years.”

Platform One will be holding two information evenings at Quay Arts Theatre, Newport. These will take place on Wednesday (June 28), and the following Wednesday (July 5), from 6pm to 8pm. To register for a place email: admissions@platformone.org.