De Montfort University, UK

Highly Commended

Future-fit fashion and textiles: A whole school approach towards transforming the industry

What does a University Fashion School look like if it aims to respond comprehensively to the social and environmental challenges posed by clothing production and consumption? Over the last three years De Montfort University’s School of Fashion and Textiles has been developing an answer to this question, through an integrated approach comprising curricular change, co-curricular opportunities, innovative research into new materials and community engagement to address the challenges of the textile industry, locally in Leicester, nationally and internationally.

With over 1200 students, the School offers a rich experience with a broad spectrum of sustainability initiatives for design practice and fashion business. Through external engagement with industry, the School ensures the next generation of designers, communicators, buyers, and managers have the knowledge and skills to be relevant and responsible and can make a positive impact as they move to the next stage of their career or education.

Annual carbon savings achieved with the initiative:
CO2t savings 2020/2021: 0.028 tonnes (Estimated)

What the Judges Thought

This submission evidenced an excellent whole school approach through a sustainability lens where crucial areas such as learning and teaching, assessments and partnerships with the local industry were all clearly demonstrated.

The judges particularly liked linking real carbon reductions with altering ways of working for the future and how the university is holistically working to influence change within the fashion industry.

What it Means to Win

“Winning this means the world to DMU as a UN SDG hub. The reputation and global reach of our fashion school drives us to produce graduates leading on responsible design and practise in fashion, ensuring the next generation of designers make a positive impact on our world.”

Professor Katie Normington, Vice Chancellor