The most recent speaker in our Lecture Series was our very own governor and alumna, Jacynth Bassett. She has had a fascinating journey so far and it was inspiring to hear of her pathway from Sydenham High to founding her award-winning company, The Bias Cut. She spoke meaningfully and openly about her mental health and the epiphany moment which meant leaving her Law degree behind to pursue her passion for fashion.

Jacynth was inspired to create her age-inclusive boutique – the first of its kind – by her mother’s experience of facing prejudice when it came to clothes shopping, being deemed unsuitable for certain items owing to her age, and has championed the need for social change ever since its launch in 2016. She was able to myth-bust several common beliefs about the fashion industry, whilst also noting that there was a still a way to go for diversity and inclusion.

Jacynth clearly explained ageism, debunking it as being discrimination against older people, but rather that it is the only ‘ism’ which everyone can feel, and that it can occur at any age. She added that, when combined with the idea that there is never a ‘right’ age for women, it becomes even more toxic, sharing the Maiden/ Mother/ Crone descriptors versus the male Youth/ Warrior/ Sage. She became “determined to create a shopping destination that challenged the industry’s ageist ideals and proudly celebrated women of all ages” and has been involved in many campaigns to tackle ageism, an often neglected prejudice when it comes to organisations addressing diversity and inclusion.

It was a really interesting afternoon, culminating in pupils asking questions at the end relating to the impact of Covid on her business, what it was like to study at Cambridge University and whether she was more focused on the activism or the design aspect of her business. We are sure that Jacynth has inspired many future entrepreneurs as well as social change campaigners!