Contour Fashion Innovation MA/MSc

Welcome to DMU

Contour Fashion Innovation MA/MSc is part of the School of Fashion and Textiles at DMU. This school is highly acclaimed for its creativity and research outputs, notably for its commitment to sustainability and work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which are used as a framework for sustainable education throughout our curriculum.

Based in the award-winning Vijay Patel Building all of our fashion and textile courses are brought together providing inspiring, ﬂexible spaces, studios and facilities which invite creativity and innovation.

The Vijay Patel building also is home to DMU’s Textile Engineering and Materials (TEAM) research group headed by professor Jinsong Shen. The Contour Fashion Innovation MA/MSc is closely aligned with the multidisciplinary TEAM research group, with members of this group teaching on the course.

TEAM researchers have a wide range of specialist knowledge and expertise, currently focusing on research to develop innovative eco-friendly textile processes, sustainable materials and high performance textiles with multifunctionality. TEAM provide access to a state-of-the-art, industry-standard testing laboratory, which students can use to help support their MA/MSc work.

For more information about TEAM visit: dmu.ac.uk/team

The Vijay Patel Building, De Montfort University

Work by Emily Davis and Gwen Jones, Contour Fashion Innovation MA graduates

Contour Fashion Innovation MA/MSc

Contour Fashion is a specialist subject area within apparel design, deﬁned by garments worn close to or shaping the contours of the human form. De Montfort University is a globally renowned leader and longest-running authority on Contour Fashion education since the creation of the School of Corsetry in1947.

The British corset industry, which at the time was thriving in the Midlands, established the course to meet the demand for trained, skilled designers and technicians for local manufacturing. In October 2020, in response to industry shifts and increased interest in research into innovation, ethics and sustainability, DMU launched the Contour Fashion Innovation MA.

It is our aspiration to initiate further research and transformation to meet the needs of the industry, and to serve as an incubator for the future change-makers of the sector. The programme promotes a dynamic and cooperative community, with every student gaining from each other’s diverse experiences, as well as from the programme of study. It encourages visionary, innovative practice and a critical approach to contemporary global challenges. The drive to ﬁnd sustainable alternatives continues to change the landscape of this industry, as it does all others. From 2023, Contour Fashion Innovation will be offered as either an MA or an MSc qualiﬁcation to accommodate the diverse interests and professional demands of its students.

As well as the product specialism itself, students address themes such as health and wellbeing, equality and diversity, psychological and physical needs of survivors of breast surgery and consideration of reuse and waste reduction. All work integrates sustainable initiatives. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are used as a framework for deﬁning the term sustainability and identifying its varied parts. Within these diverse study areas, there is signiﬁcant –and exciting innovative and creative research.

Vijay Patel Facilities

Students in the School of Fashion and Textiles have access to a complete suite of creative workshops and state of the art facilities, all based in the Vijay Patel building.

These include:

• Open-plan design studios with dressmaking and ﬁtting mannequins

• Workshops, CAD facilities and open access hub spaces

• Sewing workshops with range of specialist machinery

• Textile dyeing, ﬁnishing and printing facilities

• Access to multiple specialist workshops such as laser, scanning, 3D printing, metal, glass, ceramics

• Full range of textile testing equipment

Students also have access to DMU’s Kimberlin Library, situated at the heart of the campus. It offers learning zones, study areas and a dedicated postgraduate study room. Learning zones provide spaces for group and individual work, and many resources and services are accessible 24 hours a day. Access to thousands of print publications, DVDs, e-books and e-journals, and remote-access research databases.

“This course has given me the tools I need to push the boundaries of fashion and technology.

The emphasis on innovation and sustainability in the ﬁrst module of the course inspired me to learn more about additive manufacturing and motivated me to experiment and try new things, but also encouraged me to think outside the box.

The project's research phase taught me the value of research during the design process by allowing me to create contour garments I never would have imagined possible without it.

I feel conﬁdent that by the end of this course, I will have become a specialist in the 3D printed fashion area that I aim to work within.”

Olivia Bodak

Contour Fashion Innovation MA, student

Olivia is an overseas student from Poland, studying full time on the Contour Fashion Innovation MA. She decided to pursue a Master’s degree to build upon an idea she started during her final year of completing her BA. Olivia is interested in 3D printing as a means of fully replacing conventional materials. Many traditional contour products are difficult to recycle due to their use of blended fibre fabrics, as well as their diverse range of functional accessories such as fasteners, wires and elastics. By producing garments made from a single, recyclable material Olivia is working to develop a circular alternative for this sector.

Olivia has designed materials and components through extensive research and experimentation, considering practical requirements such as fit, support, ease and comfort as well as exploring new and exciting aesthetic directions. Her investigation into new advancements in printing filaments led her to develop diverse components such as soft, stretch lace and alternative support systems. Olivia is also researching filaments that biodegrade, which she hopes to integrate into later work.

During a recent visit to DMU’s Leicester campus, Dame Zandra Rhodes became intruiged by Olivia’s innovative design. The two had a lengthy discussion, during which Dame Zandra expressed her appreciation for DMU’s emphasis on sustainability in its curriculum. She said: “The whole world has to think about sustainability and it is fabulous that this is happening so well at DMU.”

Olivia received a £500 bursary when she entered DMU’s Roadley Awards earlier in the year, in recognition of and to support her innovative work on sustainability. She has been part-funding her studies by working as a frontrunner on DMU’s paid employability internship scheme, supporting academic teams while developing an area of expertise to complement her study and future career path.

Millie Fullalove

Contour Fashion Innovation MA, student

Millie decided to study the Contour Fashion Innovation MA several years after graduating with her BA, during which time she worked as a commercial lingerie designer and later set up her own successful intimates brand. Millie is motivated by sustainability and community, which drive her work both professionally and as a student. Millie chose to study on the MA to allow her to further investigate these themes academically and to explore how the fashion industry could be better supported to make sustainable choices.

Millie is working to produce a podcast series, both engaging and informative, exploring sustainable issues which fashion companies ﬁnd challenging. Millie’s aim is to unpick some of the most misunderstood and complex issues relating to sourcing and supply chain, combining her academic research with her network and understanding of the industry. She is developing a toolkit that caters to professionals and start-up businesses, facilitating sustainable processes and highlighting where attention is needed.

Millie has also looked at how celebrity and brand can help make sustainability more appealing to mass markets. Her dramatic stage costumes use upcycled waste and deadstock materials from the Leicester manufacturing community to bring messages of over-consumption to the fore.

Millie plans to continue her work into PhD study following her MA.

“As a mature student, I was at ﬁrst apprehensive about going back to university, after working in industry since my BA graduation in 2017. However, my concerns were quickly alleviated once I started the course. The vast array of options available for all students are incredible, and that really allowed me to tailor my learning to exactly what I needed and what was going to really help me progress at this time in my life. I am passionate about sustainability in the fashion industry and it was brilliant to discover that the ethical and sustainable issues are at the forefront of our teaching.

I am so excited to get stuck into my ﬁnal project, writing my sustainable fashion podcast. The facilities at the university are state of the art, and I know will give my podcast and project the high value professional edge it will need.”

“During the MA, I have enjoyed creating resolved solutions to current issues the industry is facing. Working with external client Freetrain was a valuable experience which gave me an insight into how brands work.” As part of her ﬁrst term study on Contour Fashion Innovation MA, Alicia took part in a competition-based project for sportswear brand Freetrain. Alicia presented her period-proof running legging design at the Freetrain headquarters to senior management, buying and design teams whom she impressed with her astute grasp of the sportswear market and her research into sustainable technologies. Alicia was awarded ﬁrst place with high commendation and has been invited to spend time at the Freetrain headquarters within the design and buying teams following the completion of her MA.

“I am looking forward to exploring these areas in more depth to develop a viable solution to one of the biggest issues the industry is currently facing.”

Alicia Miller

Alicia is a current Contour Fashion Innovation student at De Montfort University, whose work centres on developing innovative period proof sportswear designed to reduce discomfort experienced from wearing disposable period-products when participating in sports or physical activity.

Alicia has looked into stigmas surrounding menstruation and how self-consciousness is often felt by women and particularly girls during their cycle, which can sometimes be an inhibitor to exercise. Her overarching goal is to promote female empowerment as well as period positivity.

Responsible consumption and production have been important focuses throughout her work and waste has been considered in the manufacturing and construction processes, utilising zero-waste pattern cutting techniques and ethical sourcing of fabrics and componentry. A recycling scheme designed as part of her work facilitates recycling these products at their end-of-life, and to prevent them from ending in landﬁll.

Contour Fashion Innovation MA, student