Fashion & sustainability research group

Sally Angharad Booth is a freelance material and trend consultant, with a Masters in Textiles from the University of Huddersfield. Having previously worked as a Colour Trend Consultant at a Global Color Research and as a Features Editor for MIX Magazine, she has a background in identifying and analysing design trends from concept to creation. Sally’s research centres on colour, design and material innovation, specifically working as a freelance material and trend consultant to brands and businesses. She provides research into the latest design directions and developments through trend reports, presentations and editorial content.

Matty Bovan is one of the UK’s leading fashion designers, whose outlandish catwalk designs have received critical acclaim and international press coverage. Bovan’s practice-as-research has seen in him collaborate with Liberty, Coach, Marc Jacobs, Wool and the Gang, Barbie and House of Voltaire. His research also draws on inspiration from outside of fashion, such as the exhibition and installation JUST/UNJUST which Bovan produced for the 2018 London Design Biennale at Somerset House and which was based on a reinterpretation of the ‘dance of death’ as depicted in a wooden chimneypiece carving at the stately home, Burton Agnes Hall in Yorkshire.

Anja is a lecturer in fashion design and has previously taught at the London College of Fashion, the University of Brighton and Buckingham New University. She has previously worked as a designer for Puma, Bench and The Fableists as well as running her own sustainable fashion company in Indonesia. Anja's research interests lie in exploring sustainable fashion practices for both the wearers and makers of fashion, with a focus on garment life extension.

Jenny's research is practice-led, developing and creating innovative pattern and construction techniques using non-traditional processes. Her book 'Sewing Techniques: An introduction to construction skills in the design process' was published in 2014 and is intended to demonstrate how construction techniques can be used to inform the design process. She has also contributed to the book 'Materials and Technology for Sportswear and Performance Apparel' with two co-authored chapters 'Garment Fit and Consumer Perception of Sportswear' which addresses both the physiological and psychological factors associated with the fit of sportswear. The second chapter she co-authored is titled 'Eco-considerations for sportswear design' which outlines sustainable and ethical practices adopted by the sportswear industry. Jenny has also presented papers on the importance of sustainable fashion education, drawing on case studies of her own pedagogic projects, fashion and craft.