Pocket the Problem at City Hall 2008

In the summer term of 2008, London’s schoolgirls were challenged to ‘pocket the problem’, using their enterprising skills to raise awareness of issues close to their hearts. Participating teenagers filled the pockets of Clippykit bags with images and objects that spoke about issues they wanted to address as they explored the concept of fashion with a social conscious.

Issues included gun and knife crime, forced marriage, positive body image and respect for the elderly.

The project was the result of a partnership between Make Your Mark and award-winning entrepreneur Calypso Rose, founder of Clippykit, also a Make Your Mark Ambassador. We used Enterprise Week to profile all the finalists, by holding a Pocket the Problem exhibition at City Hall. Guests heard from the very inspiring Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC, the first female and ethnic minority person to hold the post of Attorney General, who talked about her career progression as a woman.

The overall winning entry was Haverstock School, who produced a Clippykit bag raising awareness of gun crime. The Metropolitan Police have funded the production of the bag as a resource for other schools.

Calypso Rose

Calypso Rose became an ambassador thanks to her Clippykit bags. When she made and personalised her first bag, people would stop her in the street asking where she had bought it. She realised this was a great idea for a business and Clippykit was born. Calypso is working hard to launch in America when her turnover is expected to double to £1 million. Her celebrity customers included Helena Bonham Carter, Tara Palmer Tomkinson and Jools Oliver.

Read more about Calypso

Check out more photos of the event:

Pocket the Problem