Inspiring the Next Generation of Creatives

Gavin had the pleasure of visiting Bridgwater & Taunton College to speak with the Level 3 Fashion Business & Retail students. It was a fantastic opportunity to share insights from his career journey, from the early days of work experience in Soho to leading his own creative agency, Hatched.

A Career Spanning 25 Years

Gavin’s presentation began with a story from his early days—being inspired during his work experience at a below-the-line advertising agency in Soho. This early exposure ignited his passion for the creative industry, leading him to pursue a degree in Design Marketing, followed by a Master’s in Creative Multimedia. Over the course of 25 years, Gavin has worked in a variety of design roles, each experience contributing to the expertise that led to the founding of Hatched Agency.

Behind the Scenes with Iconic Brands

The students were particularly captivated by Gavin’s packaging work for Cath Kidston. He walked them through the design and production process, highlighting the challenges and creative opportunities that come with working for a well-established fashion brand. From initial concepts to final packaging, Gavin detailed the steps involved in bringing a brand’s vision to life while maintaining its identity. This segment of the presentation sparked great interest, showing the students a tangible example of how branding and design play crucial roles in the retail world.

Bringing Hatched to the Classroom

Moving on, Gavin showcased the current work being done at Hatched, focusing on the agency’s strengths in Branding and Social Media. The discussion then turned to a project close to the students’ hearts: designing a marketing campaign for Levi’s inspired by the multimedia ‘REIMAGINE’ campaign featuring Beyoncé. This provided an excellent opportunity for Gavin to dive into the rich heritage of the Levi’s brand and its contemporary influence on fashion and culture, especially its impact on denim.

A Lesson in Campaign Creation: Reimagining Levi’s “Creek” Ad

Levis 501 Commercial – 1994 featuring the iconic “Inside” by Stiltskin

Gavin’s reimagined campaign, Feel the Freedom, is designed to connect that classic sense of freedom and authenticity with a modern audience.

Feel the Freedom: A Campaign for a New Generation

The campaign is centered around celebrating the legacy of the Levi’s 501 jeans, evoking themes of freedom, confidence, and timeless style. It’s about more than just denim—it’s a lifestyle that resonates with a sense of individuality and authenticity.

How the ‘Feel the freedom’ campaign could be applied using simple typography, raw, gritty, and adventurous black & white visuals with a sense of freedom.

Target Audience:

Gavin outlined how Hatched would approach the brief, focusing on key elements such as:

  • Young adults (18-35) who value freedom, authenticity, and individuality.
  • Fashion enthusiasts with an appreciation for vintage style and nostalgia.
  • Longtime Levi’s fans and lovers of 90s culture.

Platform Focus:

  • Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify to reach a broad and diverse audience.

Key Campaign Hashtags:

  • #Live501
  • #FeelTheFreedom
  • #LevisLegacy
  • #CreekMoments
  • #Inside501

Visual Style & Tone:

  • Raw, gritty, and adventurous visuals with a sense of freedom.
  • A fusion of nostalgic 90s aesthetics and contemporary street style.
  • Black & White photography to capture authenticity and evoke emotion.
  • Minimalist, edgy typography to create a bold and modern impact.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Gavin detailed how the campaign would come to life through social media communication, using modern creative tools to celebrate Levi’s enduring influence. He emphasised the importance of storytelling in brand communication, focusing on the ability to convey emotion and inspire action through visual and written content. The Feel the Freedom campaign is designed to capture moments of individuality, encouraging consumers to embrace their personal style with Levi’s 501 jeans.

An Engaging Q&A Session

The presentation wrapped up with an engaging Q&A session, where students asked insightful questions about the creative process, the practicalities of working with global brands, and Gavin’s own career journey. It was clear that the students were not only inspired by Gavin’s story but also eager to explore the creative potential of the brief.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Gavin’s visit to Bridgwater & Taunton College was not just about showcasing his work; it was about inspiring the next generation of designers, marketers, and brand builders. As he shared his journey from a young creative in Soho to leading a successful agency, the students were given a glimpse into the possibilities that lie ahead in the world of fashion and design.

Hatched Agency is proud to support aspiring creatives and looks forward to seeing the innovative campaigns the students will create, inspired by Levi’s rich brand heritage and the rebellious spirit of the Creek ad. We can’t wait to see how they will reimagine this classic brand for a modern audience.

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