The Fashion programme has, for a number of years, been inspired by these inventive and exciting fabrics and the opportunities that exist to engineer property challenges in response to specific requirements. The interface between fashion design and fabric technology is a fundamental requirement for future progress and requires multi-disciplinary research collaboration between designers and fabric technologists. Part of the challenge is to consider alternative garment design approaches and pattern blocks specifically suited for nonwoven materials and to actively contribute towards developments in nonwoven fabric technology. There are also opportunities for the simplification of garment design reducing assembly costs and facilitating recycling at the end of life, improving the technical performance of garments and reducing the overall life-cycle impact of clothing.
Our research on remodelling of industrial nonwoven fabrics began in defiance of laws and traditions some four years ago. Collars which conventionally require interlinings did not, seams which ordinarily receive overlocking could be left raw and front bodices which by tradition require facings could be produced without. Ultrasonic and thermal joining techniques enabled stitching to be replaced and localised thermo-forming provided a means of improving fit and simplifying garment assembly. Elements of this research were disseminated at the EDANA Nonwovens Research Academy held at the University of Leeds in March 2007, at the INDEX08 Exhibition in Geneva in 2008, Yorkshire Fashion Week in 2009 and the INDEX11 Exhibition in Geneva in 2011.