Behind The Scenes – In Focus: Content & Social Media (Funded by ESF & Skills For Growth)

We are Toju, Mike and Nat – participants of the latest In Focus: Content and Social Media course which just finished and we are thrilled to share some exciting insights with you! We worked on a creative brief to produce a social media strategy for a local clothing designer, Rhea Barry, who has just released her new collection.

About the Course 

The In Focus: Content and Social Media was a comprehensive 7-week course designed to help individuals gain practical experience in digital content creation. Delivered by Reform Radio’s experienced Content & Marketing Team and industry experts, this programme was amazing at helping us develop our skills in marketing, video, and photography.

The course consisted of structured modules, covering topics such as social media and marketing strategies, analytics, trends, and audience development, planning and implementing a social media marketing campaign, and working from briefs to developing concepts. We also learnt the basics of filming and concept production, including creating short-form videos for different platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and editing and post-production.

The course was funded by the Skills for Growth & European Social Fund.

Our Group worked on a project for a local fashion designer as a part of the programme.

Rhea B is a clothing designer and seamstress based in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. She is the one woman show behind ‘RB Funky Creations’; clothing company boasting one-of-a-kind and small-batch pieces all designed, cut, sewn and packaged by Rhea herself.

Known for her signature ‘woodland fairy’ aesthetic, as well as her use of creative up-cycling, Rhea’s online platform has garnered an impressive following on social media platforms.

Rhea B champions the philosophy of ‘Slow Fashion’ and wastes absolutely zero fabric. She sources materials from end of line fabrics, charity shop items and eBay deadstock as well as some locally sourced new fabrics.

To mark the drop of her new collection, Reform Radio were lucky enough to host Rhea B at the station to meet her, shoot some of her clothing, and ask her some questions about her process.

Rhea handmakes new collections with drops every couple of months. They are all one of a kind or small batch pieces ranging in sizes Xs-3XL. Rhea works from her Manchester studio and designs, cuts, sews, packages and posts everything herself. She uses a mix of new fabrics, end of line and recycles old clothes to create her designs, so everything is unique. 

Purple Pixi Drop is a mix of tops, skirts and accessories. Running theme of the collection is a focus on trimmings, lace up detail and beaded fringing. Merging the colour purple with all the shades and textures that are made when Rhea combines lace, mesh velvet and stretch jerseys (always focused on comfort as well!). Rhea also saves all the scraps from cutting out the designs and uses these to create her patchwork gloves and panels so nothing is wasted. 

If you want to get involved in the next In Focus: Content & Social Media course, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.