A vintage costume and styling company set up by eight Uxbridge College students got off to a dynamic start with a vibrant launch party.

Frock & Roll, the brainchild of the team of Production Arts students from the College in West London, demonstrated their skills in designing costumes, make-up and hair for any historical period at the Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes. The event offered entertainment including makeovers, live music and dance, a jive workshop, and a buffet, and the team worked with students from across the college, including from performing arts and catering and hospitality, to make the night a success.

Frock & Roll can provide an authentic look based on any vintage fashion from 1930s Hollywood glamour, to the Teddy Boys of the 1950s, to Austin Powers’ flower-powered groovy babies.

Frock & Roll have been awarded an impressive £7,000 in grants to develop the company, which will help give them industry experience. They have already styled a Murder Mystery evening, and are part of a College-wide team working with the Mayor of Hillingdon on a 1960s themed charity fashion show ‘Cast-offs to Cat Walk’ taking place on April 30th.

Lynn Pomfret, Production Arts lecturer, said: “The Frock and Roll launch shows how creative the Performing Arts students of Uxbridge College are and what fantastic skills both the Frock and Roll team and those involved from the rest of the college have too. The enthusiasm and team work shown by everyone involved was truly impressive, and I am sure they have learnt a huge amount about the pressures of putting on an event and starting up a business.

“The entertainment industry is the third biggest industry in this country, and costume and makeup designers from the UK are regularly honoured internationally for their skills. It is important to keep up the standard, and by supporting students to work professionally right from the beginning of their training, we are encouraging them to be the best they can.”

The guests of honour at the launch night were the Mayor and Mayoress of Hillingdon Cllr Allan and Mrs Lynne Kauffman, and 50% of ticket sales will go to the Mayor’s Rainbow Charity Appeal. Cllr Kauffman entered into the spirit of the event by wearing a black wig complete with hair rollers, inspired of the team’s nickname ‘the frock and rollers’. The event was also attended by other guests from across the West London community.

The team of students won £5,000 from NACUE (National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs) and £2,000 through the publicly-funded social entrepreneurship group UnLtd, under its FE Pioneers scheme.

• Tickets for the charity ‘Cast-offs to Cat Walk’ fashion show on April 30 at the Civic Centre, Uxbridge, cost £8 or £4 concessions, and are available from the Mayor’s Office on 01895 250763 or mayor@hillingdon.gov.uk.