Students and graduates from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have shown the world their innovative designs to make the fashion industry more sustainable at Expo 2020.
A spectacular catwalk show featuring many DMU designs capped off a busy first month at the Dubai event, which also saw DMU experts exhibit pioneering technology which could make the textile industry far more eco-friendly.
The university hosted debates and displayed research and student work as part of the UK Pavilion's first themed week, 'What Will We Wear.’
In line with its goal to create a circular fashion industry that eliminates pollution and exploitation, DMU staged a two-day Future of Textiles exhibition.
Featuring research from Jinsong Shen, Professor of Textile Chemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Richardson, Professor of Modern Holography and Dr Lionel Dean, Senior Lecturer, School of Design, the display showcased a range of sustainable fabrics that were either created using space age technologies, or by using ancient materials in unexpected new ways.
DMU’s pioneering work in holographic fabrics was on show that offers three-dimensional depth in textiles without the requirement of cumbersome eyewear traditionally associated with 3D or VR imagery. This latest leap by the university paves the way for commercial opportunities with businesses looking to harness three-dimensional imaging technology.
SEE WHAT ELSE DMU IS DOING AT EXPO 2020
To avoid the use of conventional synthetic dyes which can have harmful effects on the environment and human beings, DMU showcased eco-friendly new methods of dyeing clothes, including the use of biodegradable enzymes in natural fungi. This process uses multidisciplinary technology at a lower temperature than conventional dyes, resulting in the benefit of energy saving as well as a reduction in waste from materials and water.
Dr Lerpiniere, who was in Dubai, said: “It is really important to have the opportunity to take issues surrounding a sustainable fashion industry to a world stage in Dubai because we all need to collaborate to make it happen.
“We should not be looking at how we create fashion for less but how we create fashion as a force for good in the world, instead of it being polluting and exploitative in its nature.
“We need academics, scientists, activists and the heads of industry to work together and I find it really exciting that we had the opportunity to be central to these conversations at Expo.”
Professor Shen added: “Our efforts at the Expo 2020 are part of our wider goal to turn our often-criticized fashion industry into one that is responsible and conscious. By displaying our research on global platforms, we endeavour to transform how we create and consume fashion.
“The methodologies we are presenting here such as the enzyme biotechnology for machine washable wool, electroforming for metallised embellishment on textiles, and the use of sustainable bast fibers, are all focused at alleviating the human and ecological impacts of textiles.”
Professor Jinsong Shen and Dr Claire Lerpiniere
DMU wrapped up the event by showcasing collections from graduates of the classes of 2020 and 2021 in the School of Fashion and Textiles as part of a stunning catwalk show hosted at the entrance of the UK Pavilion. To produce many of the designs modelled during the show, students developed innovative sustainable methods or introduced sustainable technology into their approaches.
The university is a founding partner at the Expo 2020 UK Pavilion. Over the remaining five months of the event, the university will engage in debates, show research and work collaboratively in projects looking at how we live, thrive and learn.
Posted on Tuesday 26 October 2021