Fashion and Textiles Research Group

As an academic team, the Fashion and Textiles Research and Knowledge Exchange group has very broad interests in developing research strands and personal exploration that keys into their own practice and pedagogy. Recent activity has included:

• Fashion in the Digital World: An Exploration of NFTs and Digital Fashion – A symposium held in November 2023 which explored the future of digital fashion, featuring world-class industry speakers.
• Repeat Printed Pattern for Interiors – Course Leader for Textile Design, Kate Farley, explores the power repeat patterns hold over us and what goes into creating original, effective printed designs. Beginning with the history of patterns in interior design, she uncovers lessons from the work of Owen Jones, William Morris, Collier Campbell and Josef Frank. Published by Bloomsbury, January 2023.

Areas of focus

• Digital Fashion – Investigation into new media and methodologies around promotion and presentation is key to understanding what the future of fashion marketing and communication looks like.
• Local/Traditional – Investigation into local industries has begun to reveal very clear opportunities for exploration around sustainable and local manufacture processes – notably through sustainable dyes and fabrications and manufacture potential.
• Sustainability – Key discussions have emerged around the possibilities of home-grown dye production and sustainable, durable and long-lasting processes that enable and expand production and manufacturing of fashion and textile related products through ethical, affordable and achievable methods.