Students launch sustainable pop-up shop at shopping centre

Students from Oaklands College’s Art, Fashion and Design programmes proudly unveiled their sustainable pop-up shop, ‘Oak Boutique’, at The Galleria in Hatfield on 10–11 December. The two-day event showcased the students’ creativity, business skills and passion for environmentally conscious fashion, giving shoppers the chance to explore second-hand clothing, discover more about sustainable style, and enjoy free styling consultations.

The pop-up was entirely student run, with learners taking responsibility for every aspect of the project – from sourcing and curating preloved garments to designing the store layout, managing customer service, and promoting the event. Their hard work paid off, with visitors praising the shop’s welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful displays and the students’ enthusiasm for sharing the benefits of sustainable fashion.

The experience also formed a valuable part of the students’ coursework, giving them the opportunity to apply classroom learning to a real world retail environment. Running ‘Oak Boutique’ allowed them to develop practical skills in visual merchandising, customer engagement, styling, and ethical fashion communication, all essential for future careers in the creative industries. Many students commented on how much fun they had working together as a team and interacting with members of the public.

Fashion Lecturer at Oaklands College, Natalie Sturman, said:

“I am incredibly proud of our students and everything they achieved with Oak Boutique. They put in an enormous amount of effort, from planning and sourcing stock to running the shop floor with professionalism and confidence. Projects like this are invaluable because they give students hands on experience, build their understanding of sustainable fashion, and help them grow in independence. Seeing them enjoy the process and take ownership of the store was a real highlight.”

The pop-up also encouraged shoppers to think differently about fashion consumption. By offering high quality preloved clothing, accessories and jewellery, the students demonstrated how second-hand shopping can be stylish, affordable and environmentally responsible. Many visitors took advantage of the free styling consultations too, which helped them explore new looks while learning how to make more sustainable wardrobe choices.

16-year-old fashion student Shaylah-Louise from Luton enjoyed taking part:

“Our two-day pop-up shop in the Galleria, Hatfield, was a valued, insightful experience in terms of learning and growth. Every challenge we faced was an opportunity to improve, and the experience has laid a strong foundation for even better events in the coming future.”

Oak Boutique marks another successful collaboration between Oaklands College and The Galleria, providing students with a platform to showcase their talents while contributing positively to the local community. The College hopes to continue offering similar opportunities in the future, supporting students to develop their skills and confidence through meaningful, real-world experiences.