Jo Tutchener-Sharp discovered her passion for fashion at the University of Central Lancashire, leading to a successful career and the launch of Scamp & Dude, a purpose-driven brand loved by celebrities.
When Jo came to the University of Central Lancashire in the late 90s she originally enrolled on a Public Relations course but after seeing a friend who studied Fashion PR, she quickly changed her path. The syllabus of PR, styling, photography, journalism, graphics, marketing and design, all in one course, was a huge draw and she swapped courses as soon as she could. Jo said: “As soon as I started on the BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion course, I knew it was right for me. I loved every minute.”
As part of the course, Jo spent a year on placement at various PR companies in London, at one point working seven days a week doing paid work on a weekend to enable her to do unpaid work experience. Jo saw that she had to build contacts and get as much experience as possible to forge a career for herself in such a competitive industry. This paid off and Jo was offered two jobs when she graduated, one of which she accepted at a PR agency called Purple, who specialise in fashion, events and music.
Jo stayed at Purple for six years and was instrumental in setting up a beauty division before being approached by Estee Lauder to head up their in-house PR department where she worked for the Estee Lauder and Tom Ford Beauty brands. Jo then decided to go it alone and set up her own agency, Beauty Seen PR, directing campaigns for high profile brands including, Tom Ford, Matthew Williamson, Dolce & Gabbana, Vogue, Estee Lauder and Topshop. Jo also launched the infamous BRITs Spa, the backstage spa experience at the annual BRIT Awards, where celebrities went to get pampered before the show.
In October 2015 Jo’s life took a difficult turn when she suffered a brain haemorrhage and had to leave her young children for a lengthy stay in hospital to undergo life threatening brain surgery. It was at this moment, and the near-death experience, that Jo decided to sell her business and set up Scamp & Dude, a purpose led superpower infused fashion brand, initially selling children’s clothing and accessories but soon expanding to womenswear and being stocked in Liberty of London, and now in their stand-alone stores in Edinburgh, Brighton, Cambridge and Battersea, to name a few. The brand has been worn by celebrities including, Liv Tyler, Fearne Cotton, Robbie Williams, Billie Piper, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Laura Whitmore.
"The University fashion department introduced me to a whole new world, and opened my eyes to exciting career options I didn’t even know existed. The course and the year placement gave me the experience and confidence to start my career and took me on a wonderful journey that enabled me to focus my passion into a career that I have absolutely loved and thrived in- it was an extremely special time for me."
— Jo Tutchener-Sharp, BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion graduate
Famous for its superpower infused leopard and lightning bolt print, Scamp & Dude is a brand that helps children feel more secure when away from their loved ones with the help of a ‘superpower badge’, included on the sleeve of their clothing, or via the Superhero Sleep Buddy, a soft toy that’s designed to give comfort in times of need. Infused with kindness and superpowers, Scamp & Dude is much more than just a fashion brand and for each Superhero Sleep Buddy sold, another is donated to a child who has lost a parent or is seriously ill themselves. Likewise, for every Super Scarf sold, another is donated to a woman with cancer. To date, Scamp & Dude has donated over 8,000 Superhero Sleep Buddies and over 43,000 Super Scarves to people having a hard time.
The company has now donated over two million pounds worth of cash and product donations, with celebrities such as Billie Piper, Shaznay Lewis, Vicky McClure, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sara Davies, Stacey Solomon, Jessica Ennis and Giovanna Fletcher designing products to raise money for some very special partner charities.
Jo has achieved many great things since starting her business, such as being named Entrepreneur of the Year by The British Business Awards and Retail Entrepreneur of the Year by The Great British Entrepreneur Awards. She's also spoken on panels for brands including, Instagram, Facebook, Marie Claire and Soho House and has been interviewed by The BBC, The Times, Glamour, Forbes, The Independent and Red magazine.
Looking back at her time at University, Jo credits the experience as being ‘essential’ in getting to know the industry inside out and building contacts that were instrumental in her career progression. She also talks fondly of three of her best friends who she met at the University, and who are still with her on her journey- a real testament to those solid friendships that are formed at universities all around the globe.
