Course summary

The fashion industry is transforming — and the future belongs to those who create with purpose. BA (Hons) Fashion Technology, with its two named awards: Design or Digtial, is a bold, future-focused degree for students who are ready to lead in either design or digital through ethical innovation, constructive disruption, and sustainable change. Fashion technology bridges the gap between fashion design and emerging technologies, unlocking dynamic career paths such as digital fashion design, virtual styling, and data-driven roles within the fashion industry. This course is designed for students with an interest in fashion innovation, product development, and data analysis: students who are not necessarily pursuing traditional “designer” roles but still seek a central place within the global fashion industry. Rather than focusing solely on design with technology as a tool, this course will explore the end-to-end application of technology across the entire fashion lifecycle: from concept and production, to promotion, distribution, data-driven decision-making and emerging markets such as circularity. Fashion has long been one of the most high-value global industries, but technology is now beginning to impact and change how that market works and develops: “newness and ownership” are being sacrificed in favour of “access and availability”. The amount of new product in circulation is now understood to be unsustainable with peer-to-peer reselling, such as Vinted, and peer-to-peer exchange and rental, such as Pickle (fast-fashion) and Vivrelle (luxury) all taking advantage of the commercial opportunities technology brings. How is Fashion Technology different from traditional Fashion Design and how can they enhance each other? Traditional fashion design often focuses on aesthetics, styles and garment construction. As noted above, Fashion Technology will redefine what fashion can be through the application of technologies across the fashion lifecycle; in doing so, students on this course will understand not only the opportunities new and emerging technologies can create but also how they can impact the environmental, ethical, and socially responsible arguments intrinsic to this global industry. The proposed course will emphasise: Purpose – investigating how technologies can minimise waste, extend product life and use resources responsibly, supported by ethical narratives. Innovation – how established and emerging technologies, such as digital prototyping and virtual modelling, can drive innovation and sustainable approaches before a garment is physically made. Circularity – creation of modular, recyclable, up-cyclable and biodegradable textiles and garments that will ultimately reduce the volume of new product in the production chain. Respect – investigating how traditional, indigenous, “slow” and low-tech technologies can enhance fair and sustainable working practices to produce product that is exciting and innovative whilst also being culturally respectful and ethically conscious. Impact– use what you learn and produce on this course to help raise awareness of the benefits emerging technologies can bring as well as helping to influence future behaviour and attitudes towards production, consumption and use. On graduating from the BA (Hons) Fashion Technology, you will be fully prepared to lead in the fashion technology industries—not only as creative and technically skilled professionals, but as champions of sustainability and social responsibility. You will graduate with the knowledge, tools, and ethical framework to influence meaningful change and shape the future of fashion for the better.