Why GCSE pupils are getting custom school leavers' shirts made for their last day

Leavers' day could be one of the most memorable celebrations for Year 11, as they mark the end of secondary school and prepare for a long summer ahead. In between studying for GCSE exams, many students spend hours designing personalised leavers' shirts for the day with graphics, embroidery and fonts, going beyond the regular shirt signing tradition. It's a trend that has filled TikTok and Pinterest as pupils look for more permanent mementos to be signed by their friends, while online marketplaces like Etsy offer thousands of personalised shirts for a fee. Joy Nzau, a 20-year-old from east London, has created tops inspired by brands like Asda, Nando's and Greggs with videos of her hand-painted creations, racking up millions of views on social media. She started making shirts three years ago as a hobby for her sister's leaving day and now creates custom designs commissioned by online customers in her spare time. "I felt on my own after leaving school, the shirt is a physical memory, a reminder of fun with all your feelings and nostalgia," she said. Although Nzau was surprised by the trend because it is "literally just a shirt", she loved how it embraced creativity, personalities and