Textiles students take on industry inspired design challenge with Leeds Arts University

Textiles students at Ashton Sixth Form College recently completed an exciting industry inspired design project, developing bespoke print concepts tailored to specific customers and fashion brands. Drawing on real world fashion branding and product development processes, students created commercially focused textile designs and presented their ideas through professionally developed concepts. 

The project generated a diverse and ambitious range of responses from swimwear, men’s activewear and childrenswear to accessories, footwear and wider lifestyle products. The breadth of outcomes demonstrated the students’ ability to design for different markets while developing distinctive visual identities through surface pattern and brand-led thinking. 
This project forms part of the employability pathway embedded within the Textiles course, designed to give students first-hand experience of how design operates within the creative industries. The brief mirrors professional practice, encouraging students to respond to a client-style brief, refine ideas through feedback and consider how creative decisions translate into commercially viable products. 

This year the work was judged by Tracey Reynolds, Fashion Marketing lecturer at Leeds Arts University and a highly experienced industry professional with over 18 years working across fashion design, branding and creative direction. Tracey’s extensive portfolio includes work with globally recognised brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Gucci, Prada, Alexander McQueen and Vogue, alongside a wide range of commercial fashion labels and international creative campaigns. 

Students presented their design concepts directly to Tracey, gaining valuable professional feedback on print development, product application and brand positioning. She also spoke to students about progression routes into higher education and the wide range of careers available within fashion marketing, branding and the wider creative industries. 

Reflecting on the experience, Tracey said: 
“The students did incredibly well, especially considering they only had a week to respond to the brief and then present it. I was very impressed by their creativity, confidence when presenting and the variety of ideas they explored.” 

Prizes were awarded to the most outstanding concepts from the project. Umama Ahmed was recognised for her highly commercial nightwear concepts for Ted Baker, praised for their strong brand alignment and seasonal versatility. Tracey commented that the designs were so well resolved they could easily be imagined in store. 

Freya Riley received an award for her holiday wear and accessory concepts for White Fox, developing a cohesive set of prints that worked effectively across multiple products while maintaining strong commercial appeal. 
Both winners received certificates and a £50 Trafford Centre voucher to celebrate the creativity, professionalism and ambition demonstrated in their work. 

The project provided students with a valuable opportunity to present their work to an industry professional while developing confidence in communicating their ideas and responding to professional feedback. Experiences such as this allow students to build strong portfolios, develop presentation skills and gain meaningful insight into future study and career pathways within the creative industries. 

Through collaborations with universities and practising industry professionals, Ashton Sixth Form College continues to provide students with opportunities that bridge education and industry, helping them develop the skills, confidence and ambition needed to progress into higher education and successful creative careers.