Sustainable Fabrics for Fashion: Creative and Technical Approaches - Short Course at NTU

About

Nottingham Trent University
12 - 29 July 2021, Monday to Thursday 10 am - 4 pm, three weeks
£1100

On this practical design course, you'll develop your fabric development skills and learn how to apply them to emerging green markets.

You will learn about the origins of fibres, their production methods and current technological developments, and how the fundamental values of 'craft' remain central to the process.

As well as new technical knowledge, you will be creating a catalogue of creative samples and a simple garment and/or accessories using the techniques you've learnt.

This course is ideal if you're working in the fashion or textile industry, hoping to pursue further academic study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or a craft maker interested in developing new products.

On the course, you will:

- discover what sustainability means in fashion and textile design and production
- compare the fast-fashion commercial model to more responsible practices
- visit a local charity shop and explore brands, styles and fibre blends (and purchase one item to disassemble back in the workshop)
- learn about sustainable fabric sourcing, including zero waste, cradle to cradle and cradle to grave
- complete a life-cycle assessment
- explore natural dying, knit and woven fabrics
- create a garment using sustainable approaches.

What will I gain?

By the end of the course, you will have a technical file full of notes, a material and production catalogue, sustainable designs, a series of swatches and a simple garment that you've made.

Level: Open to all

Entry requirement: A professional or academic background in design is useful, but not essential.

Tutor Profile: Faye Fraser is an accomplished knitwear designer and sustainable practitioner.

She has a decade of experience in knitwear design and fabric development for high-end streetwear and luxury brands such as Aries Arise and Martina Spetlova, all while cultivating her own responsible practice through zero waste and degradable design methods.

She is a masters graduate in textile design innovation from NTU, and was dubbed 'One of Seven Knitters to Watch 2019' on the Knitting Industry website.

Faye has been named The Clothes Show's Knitwear Designer of the Year, and has written for industry publications.