A TEENAGER has launched a campaign to say no to "fast fashion" and promote clothing sustainability.

Clothes can take up to 40 years to fully decompose and, with this in mind, the Truro High A Level student is raising awareness about the environmental impact of fashion by staging a school-wide ‘ditch and switch’ clothes swap event.

Charlotte, aged 16, said: “Clothing pollution is a massive issue affecting the environment and it's one that many people just aren’t aware of – it’s going to have a huge impact on all our lives if we don’t do something about it.

"I want to work in fashion so it’s really important to me to help people to find ways to shop sustainably. Clothes swapping is a great way to get a whole new wardrobe and reduce our impact on the environment. I can’t wait!”

Charlotte is hosting the event as part of the Extended Qualification Project (EPQ). The EPQ offers students a unique opportunity to excel in a chosen specialism, helping them to hone their ability to carry out rigorous independent research and develop their presentation style – invaluable skills for the next step to undergraduate study at some of the world’s top universities.

It's not the first time Charlotte has turned her love of fashion into a business venture with an environmental focus. During her GCSE years, she ran a business selling purses made from recycled wetsuits as part of the school’s Young Enterprise project.

Charlotte currently studies art, textiles and business studies at Truro High School for Girls as she drives towards her ultimate goal of working in the fashion industry.