Inside Future Fashion Factory

Researchers at the University of Leeds are working closely with industry to transform the UK’s luxury fashion and textiles sector. New ideas and technologies are on show as Future Fashion Factory celebrates its first anniversary.

The support of the region’s mills and other industry partners has been phenomenal in our first year.

—Suzy Shepherd, Founder of Yorkshire Textiles and Co-Director of Future Fashion Factory

Impact

• Sustainable fashion: keeps materials and products in use, reducing waste and benefiting the environment
• Education and capacity-building: addresses emerging skills shortages in the industry
• Integrating new technologies: uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to develop digital tools for designers

Key information

• Major funders: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
• Partners and collaborators: Abraham Moon & Sons, British Fashion Council, Burberry, Camira, the Textile Centre of Excellence, the UK Fashion and Textile Association Wools of New Zealand, Yorkshire Textiles
• Disciplines: textiles, fashion, heritage
• Investigators: Professor Stephen J. Russell, Dr Sahar Arshi, Professor Ningtao Mao

Keywords: digital technology, innovation, sustainable business models, supply chains, design, circular economies, materials, digital tools, fabric sampling, community