What future for textiles?

Smart?

The emergence of intelligent technologies such as conductive textiles, sensory fabrics, wearable computing, biomaterials, and nanotechnology demand greater collaboration between science and design to transform textile design processes and products.

Invisible?

New fibres and finishings create textiles with invisible built-in functionality such as vitamin-enhanced fabrics, anti-stress fibre, solar-reactive yarns and composite materials.

Sustainable?

Increasing demands to consider sustainability necessitate more responsible approaches to textile design. Current modes of production, consumption and waste are significantly changing potential design processes and outputs.

Ethical?

Demographics, globalisation, changing consumption patterns that impact on markets can be challenged by design.

Poetic?

Human need for inspiring aesthetics and comforting materials persists. The aesthetic and emotional qualities of cloth and craft become even more relevant in a high-tech, high-speed consumer culture.