We Create* is a fashion-based Social Enterprise that supports young up-and-coming fashion designers around Britain.
The user-lead organisation runs a BLOG about young fashion designers in the UK as well as projects and events to promote, help, and support participants to develop and run creative enterprises.
The organisation also runs projects and workshops in partnership with other Social Enterprises, Charities, Community Groups, and organisations to offer individuals from disadvantaged and socially excluded backgrounds the opportunity to gain access to qualifications and commercial experience in Fashion and Design.
The organisation funds it running and development by retailing the designs its participants create.
We Create* is running a shop and design studio in Wolverhampton city centre, on Victoria Street, to retail fashion labels designed by up-and-coming young designers and offer participants access to space, commercial equipment, and faciliites to develop designs for retail and run fashion-based enterprises.
We Create* also uses the design studio to run workshops and events to help support young people interested in fashion and design.
Richard Leighton
We Create* is designed, developed, and run by Award Winning Social Entrepreneur Richard Leighton.
Richard is a graduate in Fashion Design Management from the University of Leeds, a post-graduate in Fashion at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (UCE), a graduate from the School for Social Entrepreneurs - London, and a MA Social Enterprise student at Coventry University.
Away from his academic commitments Richard has approached and developed fashion-based projects for The Big Issue, Oxfam, Salvation Army, and The Homeless World Cup.
As well as running We Create* Richard also works part-time for a leading Midlands-based charity that runs 40 support services regionally and employs 700+ people as an In-house Social Entrepreneur. He develops projects and social enterprises to help the individuals from disadvantaged and socially excluded backgrounds the charity supports. Richard was the first male in Britain to be employed by an organisation as a social entrepreneur.
Richard was named in The Observer and Courvoisier Future 500 intake for 2009 - a list of 500 young individuals based in the UK believed to make an impact in the world of design and enterprise. Richard was also named as one of the top 100 Young Ethical Entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom in 2009 by the Guardian. In 2010 named as one of the UK's top 20 Young Social Entrepreneurs in the Daily Mail's Enterprising Young Brits Competition.
Richard regularly talks at schools, colleges, universities, and enterprise events about his journey as social entrepreneur as a Young Business Ambassador for the Prince's Trust and the government's Make Your Mark campaign.
Richard also works as a consultant on social entrepreneurial and fashion-based projects for leading social enterprises, charities, and fashion-based companies.
Please contact We Create* for more information on Richard's services.
Richard would like to thank the School for Social Entrepreneurs, UnLtd*, Prince's Trust, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Richard loves Torquay United, American Apparel, Sweden, Facebook, Moo, Chocolate Yazoo, and Bulliet Bourbon.
Voted Sexiest Social Entrepreneur 2013 in the UK by Social Enterprise Magazine.
Many Thanks and Kind Regards
We Create*