LSST Launches ‘Interview Wardrobe’ to Empower Students and Champion Employability
By Kunal Chan Mehta | Article Date: 28 May 2025
LSST is thrilled to launch its latest student-focused initiative: the Interview Wardrobe. First introduced at LSST Birmingham – and soon to be available across all campuses – this empowering programme provides students with free access to professional clothing for job interviews, career fairs and networking events. By removing an existing obstacle to career progression, LSST is helping students present themselves with confidence and seize every opportunity their future holds.
“The initiative is part of LSST’s broader commitment to promoting social mobility and supporting mature learners, many of whom juggle education with family responsibilities, employment or personal challenges,” said James Platt, LSST’s Careers and Employability Manager. “With the average LSST student aged 35 or older, the Interview Wardrobe responds to a very real and practical need: helping students present themselves professionally and confidently in competitive job markets.”
Elena Soare, LSST’s Student Union President, praised the project: “This initiative speaks directly to the heart of what LSST stands for. Many of our students come from non-traditional backgrounds and have overcome significant adversity to reach this stage. With the Interview Wardrobe, they now have one less hurdle to face. It’s an inspiring example of what happens when we listen to each other and act with empathy.”
Chloe Pearson, Careers Officer at LSST Birmingham, added: “For our students, the first impression can be make-or-break. Many are balancing financial pressures and simply can’t afford to prioritise interview clothing. The Interview Wardrobe is about restoring confidence and ensuring that no one is held back by something as solvable as attire.”
Charlie Tennant, LSST’s Vice Principal, commented: “Our mission has always been to widen access to opportunity – and that means thinking beyond the classroom. The Interview Wardrobe embodies our values of inclusion and community support. We’re proud to take tangible steps that help students transition from education into meaningful and life-changing employment.”
This initiative builds upon LSST’s broader strategy of embedding employability into the student experience – offering CV support, career counselling, mock interviews, and now, professional dress support. It’s a holistic model that reflects LSST’s vision of education as a gateway to independence and social mobility.
How to Support LSST’s Interview Wardrobe
The launch of the Interview Wardrobe has been well-received so far, highlighting the importance of such support systems in higher education institutions. So far, organisations such as Leonardo Hotels and Graduate Career Solutions have made sizable contributions to the project.
Members of the public, alumni, local businesses and community organisations are encouraged to donate high-quality business wear in good condition. Every item donated contributes directly to a student’s journey toward securing meaningful employment.
To donate or learn more, please contact Chloe Pearson via chloe.pearson@lsst.ac.
For more information about this article, please contact the author, Kunal Chan Mehta, via kunal.mehta@lsst.ac.
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