Five university partners have been selected for the next edition of UKFT’s MADE IT scheme, which aims to improve the production and sourcing knowledge of UK fashion and textile design students.

MADE IT also provides the opportunity to learn more about real-life manufacturing and sourcing experience in the UK fashion and textile industry through paid internships in UK production environments.

For the 2021/2022 MADE IT scheme, UKFT is working with:

• The University of Huddersfield
• Istituto Marangoni
• University of the Arts London
• Nottingham Trent University
• Heriot Watt University

Students will receive a masterclass to promoting the importance of production and sourcing within a rounded fashion education and to highlight the breadth of job opportunities across the supply chain.

Selected students will also receive the opportunity of a two-month paid internship in UK production environments to provide real-life manufacturing and sourcing experience in the UK fashion and textile industry.

Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer these opportunities to fashion and textile students across the UK. Interest in UK manufacturing is greater than we’ve seen in decades and graduates with a strong understanding of the production side of the industry will stand out as they enter the next stage in their careers. The chance to work within some of the UK’s brilliant mills and manufacturers is invaluable.”

This is the second round of the three-year MADE IT programme, which has received the generous support of The Clothworkers’ Company and CapitB Trust.

In 2021/22, UKFT worked with Plymouth College of Art, Winchester School of Art, De Montfort University, University of Salford and Bucks New University.

“It’s great to know that we still have such a rich mix of manufacturers in the UK,” said Aurora Dickson, a third-year fashion design student at the University of Salford who attended the UKFT masterclass in 2021.

“I wish I left university with the pack and information presented at the masterclass,” added Sharon Williams, Teaching Fellow for Fashion & Textile Design at Winchester School of Art.

Second year BA (Hons) Fashion student Bridget Bimha at Plymouth College of Art, said: “The masterclass has changed the way I think about the fashion industry, and has helped me to make some changes to my own business.”

“The masterclass offered invaluable insight into sourcing, the importance of strong relationships with manufacturers and the supply chain process,” explained Charlotte Farmer, second year Contour Fashion at De Montfort University.

Selected students then undertook a two-month paid internship at varied UK production environments, including luxury garment manufacturer Gosia London (pictured above),  speciality cloth micro mill Bristol Weaving Mill, outerwear brand Mackintosh and high street retailer Next.

Kitty Hall, a BA Textile Design student at De Montfort University, who spent two months at Next said: “Thank you so much for the opportunity, I loved every minute of the internship. I have gained so much knowledge in regards to the fashion industry that will help me tremendously when I graduate.”

At the conclusion of the programme, UKFT will work with students and employers to develop two sets of publicly available resources that aim to raise the quality and expectations of internships across the UK fashion and textile industry.

UKFT’S MADE IT