Resources for textile and fashion people...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:28:54 GMT

WEAVE is led by Jane Shaw of Blue Sky Think / Culture Works with initial funding from the RSA Catalyst Fund and emerges from collective working experiences pointing to a structural gap in the organisation of the design, manufacture and marketing of textile goods and innovations in the region. Read about our project and download the latest resource materials on this theme.

The Alliance Fashion and Manufacturing Toolkit

published by NESTA has been created to help designers communicate their needs effectively to production units - download here

Culture Works WEAVE project

seeks to rebuild connections between designers, makers and commissioners in the fashion and textile industries in the North East which have been lost as the industry has restructured. The aim is to create new trading and employment opportunities for fashion and costume designers, and people with technical and textile skills.

This assessment has subsequently been affirmed by a variety of people close to the industry including the fashion and design departments within Sunderland, Teesside and Northumbria Universities, Cleveland College of Art and Design Network North East.

The picture is of three broad groups which are not closely engaged with each other and are potentially missing opportunities as a consequence:

Designers

...with vision and drive but lacking the productive capacity necessary to exploit business opportunities and gain a foothold in the marketplace.

Makers

... with the textile skills who are essential to bringing ideas to fruition but often lack the commercial savvy to make things happen for themselves. Few amongst this group would consider themselves creative practitioners. They are largely people who have developed their skills as employees in low income jobs in a sector which has massively declined in the North East.

Others have developed skills as part of a cultural tradition, particularly in immigrant communities, or through engagement in hobby activities. Characteristically, they lack business confidence and undervalue the market potential of their skills.

Commissioners

... of fashion and costume goods with bespoke requirements but without ready access to the disparate groups of designers and makers as described above. This group includes, for example; independent commercial retailers, theatre companies, heritage and educational organisations, private individuals and performing arts groups.

This disconnect is not apparent in countries such as Italy where the relationship between buyers, makers and designers is close and underpins their success. The Italian model is based on ancient guild traditions and other cultural factors which are not replicable in the UK.

The WEAVE project

...seeks therefore to provide an alternative means of strengthening these essential relationships across the industry and is testing an electronic networking platform as a modern solution to the disconnect between these different groups, enabling designers to access the key textile and technical skills they need to, for example, create collections; it will provide new opportunities for those with technical skills who are currently cut adrift from the sector and commercial networks; and will create opportunities for both designers and makers to establish working relationships with commissioners.

The project is one which to date has garnered the support of cultural industry providers within higher education; those responsible for economic regeneration; creative industry support agencies; and digital service development organisations.

Call for designer-makers, Fashion and Textile Museum

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:55:40 GMT

The shop@FTM is committed to supporting young design talent and stocks a great range of products from some of the best up and coming designers you will find anywhere in the UK. The shop is currently looking for emerging designer-makers and brands to be stocked in store during our summer exhibition POP! CULTURE AND FASHION 1955-1976 opening 6 July 2012 to 27 October 2012

Further info here

If you have product that fits the theme of POP! Please send a maximum 2 page summary of you work including images and price list to info@ftmlondon.org by 30 April 2012.

Design Initiative Announces Closure - April 2012

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:40:28 GMT

Download the press statement here

Culture Works - WEAVE News Feed