Overview
I have taught Fashion and Design in higher education for 15 years, joining the Fashion team at AUB in 2022 as Senior Lecturer in Fashion (Design Development), Year Leader for Level 6 and Unit Leader for Level 6 Final Collections (FMP).
Previously, I worked as an Associate Lecturer for Nottingham Trent University and Sheffield Hallam University, undergraduate and postgraduate and Course Coordinator for BA Fashion Design at the University of Bedfordshire.
My teaching expertise spans all fashion product design processes and range development, from concept, research, silhouette development, 2D and 3D realisation, textile and surface pattern development, toiling, collection manufacture, and portfolio. My teaching is informed by research exploring Creative Pattern Cutting methods and connections to Zero Waste in projects such as WEAR SQUARE, which was most recently presented at the Play with Purpose Conference, hosted by the University of Bedfordshire in 2020.
I have also taught postgraduate at several universities, MA Art and Design, Fashion and supervised MRes projects. I am currently teaching and supporting continuing projects on the MA Digital Fashion Innovation at AUB.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- MA Fashion Design (2007) (Nottingham Trent University)
- BA (Hons) Fashion Design (2006) (De Montfort University)
Teaching Qualification
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgCAP) (2011) (University of Bedfordshire)
Teaching
- Senior Lecturer in BA (Hons) Fashion (Design Development; Year Leader – Level 6; Unit Leader – FMP1 and FMP2
- MA Digital Fashion Innovation – supervision (current intake)
Research
Research Interests and Projects
I am the co-author of the Body-Cut-Space-Cut-Body project with Dr. Garry Layden, first presented at the IASDR conference in Tokyo in 2013. I am also the creator of the WEAR SQUARE project (Zero Waste, Live Performance Fashion Show; 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2020) and the SHAPE: Body:Space:Make project (2020). Presenting research nationally and internationally, my interests are around creative pattern cutting and introducing new and sustainable design methodologies, exploring the Transitional Place and Disciplineless ways of designing.
- Play, Disciplineless working and the Transitional Place, Dissemination: Play With Purpose Conference,
University of Bedfordshire (March 2020) - Place Making and the Transitional Place, with Dr Garry Layden. Dissemination: 2017 TESTBEDS: A Sense of Place Conference, Presentation (2017)
- Idea Generation Using Humour: Group heightening of a concept using stand-up comedy approach, with
Dr Sylvia Tzvetanova Yung. Dissemination: University of Bedfordshire: Expanding Opportunities, Broadening Horizons conference, workshop (2017) - Body, Cut, Space, (Cut, Body). Research Workshop Series, Dissemination: Anglia Ruskin (February 2015)
- Body, Cut, Space, (Cut, Body). Space to Garment. A collaborative project with Garry Layden.
- Dissemination: Middlesex University: BODY + SPACE Conference, Interior Educators Society (2014)
- Body, Cut, Space, (Cut, Body). A New Methodology for Collaboration. A collaborative project with Garry Layden. Dissemination: University of Bedfordshire: Making it Happen Conference, workshop (2014)
- Body, Cut, Space, (Cut, Body). Creating Innovation in Architectural Space and Form, through Fashion Design Methodologies. A collaborative paper with Garry Layden. Dissemination: 2013 IASDR Conference, International Association of Societies of Design Research, August 2013 in Tokyo. (2013)
- HEA Discipline Workshop and Seminar Series 2011-2012, Inter- and Cross-Disciplinary Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods in Art, Design and Media. HEA Funded: A Cross-Disciplinary Approach to the Realisation of the Annual Graduate Fashion Show at the University of Bedfordshire. A collaborative project with Dr Maria Wiener. Dissemination: Higher Education Academy website (2012)
- A Collaborative Initiative: An exploration of a Junior Research Institute pilot scheme for the Division of Art and Design. We Research Together. Funded by Centre for Learning Excellence CLE, University of Bedfordshire. Dissemination: University of Bedfordshire Teaching and Learning Conference 2011 (2010-11)
Research Supervision
- Secondary Supervisor: Master by Research (MRes) (2018-2020) (University of Bedfordshire)
Professional Engagement
RECENT ENTERPRISE / KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE PROJECTS:
- Knowledge Exchange/collaborators - Feltmakers of London, Walter Wright Hats, Barford Dyers, and the Fashion Design course at UoB - Project/Creative Director (2021-22) - design and manufacture a 20-piece collection using textile and creative pattern cutting methods. The project was funded through the Feltmakers of London Livery and exhibited at the historic Luton Hoo in February 2022.
- Innovation Bridge for UoB – Design Consultant and Design Project Manager (2017–19)
The Phone Sling – Wearable Technology, Smart Holder Solutions Successful Innovation Bridge Grant application for Smart Holder Solutions – Apr 2018. Stage 2 prototype, June – Sept 2018. Project completed January 2019 - Design Festival Luton and Beds 2016: Local Cosmopolitanism, 1 December 2016 – Proposer, Organiser and Committee Chair
In partnership with – Luton Culture, Bedford Creative Arts, Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes Collaborative Network, Guildford Street Press. - RECENT SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY:
- ZEROBLE, an online resource, offering an easy to follow year-long programme to achieve net zero, covering all aspects of an individuals’ fashion lifestyle. To be launched 2024 (Current)
- WEAR SQUARE (Zero Waste) Live Performance Fashion Showcase, Dissemination: Play With Purpose Conference, UoB (March 2020)
- BBC Look East Interview on Sustainable Fashion (Aired 23rd January 2020)
- WEAR SQUARE (Disciplineless) Live Performance Fashion Showcase, Dissemination: Alexon House (November 2019)
- WEAR SQUARE (Creative Pattern Cutting) Live Performance Fashion Showcase, Dissemination: Alexon House (November 2017)
- WEAR SQUARE (Collaboration) Live Performance Fashion Showcase, Dissemination: Alexon House (January 2014)
Memberships
Advance HE Membership
- Fellow (FHEA)
Professional Memberships
- Treasurer (2021–present) Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses (FTC) and the Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses FTC Steering Group
- Futurescan 5 Conference, Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses (FTC) Committee Member (Treasurer) and Session Chair, Conference held, 7 and 8 September 2022
- Secretary (2019–21) Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses (FTC) and the Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses FTC Steering Group