vintage styling company are getting ready for their charity gala launch night on March 4.

The students – who have named their business Frock & Roll – are holding the event at the Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes and will use it to showcase their costume, hair and make-up skills. The event will also raise money for the Mayor of Hillingdon’s charities with 50% of proceeds from the night donated.

Through Frock & Roll the 16-19 year olds, all studying on Uxbridge College’s Production Arts Design course, provide styling for all historical periods from the plus fours of the 1920s, to 1950s Rock & Roll, to the shoulder-padded big-haired 1980s.

The launch event is being organized and styled by Frock & Roll with the support of other students from around the college. A jive workshop will be run by dance students, musicians are putting together a big band and vocal performance, and food will be provided by catering trainees.

Charlotte Reynolds, 19, said: “Being part of Frock & Roll is a unique experience. Getting into this industry is really hard so freelancing and building a company where we are young will give us a fantastic grounding. By the time we have come out of college and graduated we’ll have the experience to compete for the bigger jobs. It feels like a real achievement that we have won that money and it is exciting to have it – we are really fortunate because most small businesses don’t have this kind of opportunity.”

Georgina Scott, 19, said: “We are all really excited about the launch party coming up and we want people to come and enjoy it and find out what Frock & Roll is all about. We are also very pleased to be fundraising for the Mayor’s charities.”

Shaun Jackson, 18, said: “It is a great opportunity for us to gain experience and learn about how this kind of business works. And from a personal viewpoint, it’s important to me that we cater for other people who dress across different genders as well as different historical periods, like I do.”

Frock & Roll 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.

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 launch event, which runs from 6.-9pm on March 4 at The Old Vinyl Factory, Dawley Road, Hayes, are £5 each and available from hfraser@uxbridgecollege.ac.uk.