Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions For Sustainable Heritage In Fashion And Textiles
Lead Research Organisation:
Robert Gordon University
Department Name: School of Comp Sci & Digital Media
Abstract
The project aims to determine how immersive interactions can be used to communicate the experience and value of creative, artisan fashion and textile products, with a focus on culture, provenance, heritage, the human hand and sustainable clothing consumption.
The novelty of this research lies in the interdisciplinary approach and UK-China cross-cultural knowledge exchange employed across fashion and textiles and computing science with both industry and academia.
The focus of the research will be within two key project themes:
1) cultural heritage preservation in fashion and textiles towards revaluing craftsmanship;
2) people and planet preservation towards sustainable methods of design, production, consumption and disposal of fashion and textile products.
Fashion and textiles has embraced computer technology, with online sales and fashion film increasingly being used to market creative designs. However digital technologies within this sector have been used primarily to drive consumer demand for fast fashion, often involving narratives and experiences around performance and spectacle for pushing sales. This research project investigates the opportunities that technology offers to redress the balance by using digital methods to inform and shape an alternative and sustainable future for the international fashion and textile industry based on different economic and societal models.
There is now a new agenda for digital innovations focusing on an authentic and meaningful application that is far more relevant to today's complex world which focuses on sustainability, provenance and the inherent value of human processes that reconnect people and products in an empathetic and deeper way. The pressure to move towards a more sustainable global fashion and textile industry is now paramount where traditional methods of textile and clothing manufacture, using natural renewable sources that are inherently long-lasting offer a 'slow' fashion alternative.
The novelty of this research lies in the interdisciplinary approach and UK-China cross-cultural knowledge exchange employed across fashion and textiles and computing science with both industry and academia.
The focus of the research will be within two key project themes:
1) cultural heritage preservation in fashion and textiles towards revaluing craftsmanship;
2) people and planet preservation towards sustainable methods of design, production, consumption and disposal of fashion and textile products.
Fashion and textiles has embraced computer technology, with online sales and fashion film increasingly being used to market creative designs. However digital technologies within this sector have been used primarily to drive consumer demand for fast fashion, often involving narratives and experiences around performance and spectacle for pushing sales. This research project investigates the opportunities that technology offers to redress the balance by using digital methods to inform and shape an alternative and sustainable future for the international fashion and textile industry based on different economic and societal models.
There is now a new agenda for digital innovations focusing on an authentic and meaningful application that is far more relevant to today's complex world which focuses on sustainability, provenance and the inherent value of human processes that reconnect people and products in an empathetic and deeper way. The pressure to move towards a more sustainable global fashion and textile industry is now paramount where traditional methods of textile and clothing manufacture, using natural renewable sources that are inherently long-lasting offer a 'slow' fashion alternative.
Planned Impact
The direct beneficiaries of this research will be the international academic community within fashion and textiles and computing. Impact will be through discipline-specific, cross-disciplinary and methodological generated research outputs that include conference papers, journal articles, book chapters and case studies. The establishment of the first International Augmented Fashion Conference in year 2 of the project at RGU and subsequent Conference at Donghua University, Shanghai, in year 3 is a key target of the project, and will significantly widen the dissemination and global impact of the project. It is hoped the Conference will become a bi-annual event post-project. A Conference Committee will be established to facilitate this, providing the opportunity for long-term impact and a special edition journal publication will be established. Recognised international academics within the relevant fields will be invited as reviewers.
Non-academic beneficiaries of this research will be the public and global consumers of fashion and textiles where it will have significant international societal and economic impact by engaging with the public in both China and the UK. The public engagement activities namely, two interdisciplinary immersive fashion shows and exhibitions, showcasing the project's co-creative collaborative outcomes provide opportunities for dissemination of the project to live public audiences across both countries. Fashion social media influencers, the international press and cultural organisations in both countries will have access to fashion show material. The public will be invited to take part in fashion show workshops. They will be free to access, providing an experiential and creative opportunity for involvement with AR, VR and immersive technologies. The fashion shows and workshops will be followed by a public exhibition of all pieces, facilitating maximum exposure. The impacts of these activities are multiple, providing a showcase for Scottish and Chinese artisan fashion and textile producers/creatives and multimedia creatives, making the project outputs more accessible to new and wider audiences. The design of the website will also be made accessible to non-experts through a user-friendly interface, the use of non-academic language and global reach through bi-lingual text in both English and Chinese. The immersive technology outputs created by the project will be made freely available via the website.
The global business/Industry community will be beneficiaries of the research where collaboration with fashion and textile industry partners to design and exhibit fashion outfits and accessories will provide case study material for design and manufacture, design innovation and new product development and R&D models for companies to access. Through international PR for the brands and creatives involved in the project this will be shared to the business community through press and social media. The business and commercialisation workshops will support UK industry partners' understanding of the business practices and the fashion and textile market in China which will be disseminated through the website, and related outputs. For the creative industries, specifically small businesses all software developed will be published online, with open access, as a comprehensive system incorporating immersive technologies and 3D visualisations, providing an Immersive Technologies Toolkit together with an online, open access learning module. The computational toolkit will enable artisan fashion and textile practitioners and brands to enhance their digital skills and make use of immersive technologies.
Non-academic beneficiaries of this research will also include policy makers and third sector organsiations (e.g. through the British Fashion Council, The Textile Institute, the UK Fashion and Textile Institute, Highlands and Islands Enterprise.)
Non-academic beneficiaries of this research will be the public and global consumers of fashion and textiles where it will have significant international societal and economic impact by engaging with the public in both China and the UK. The public engagement activities namely, two interdisciplinary immersive fashion shows and exhibitions, showcasing the project's co-creative collaborative outcomes provide opportunities for dissemination of the project to live public audiences across both countries. Fashion social media influencers, the international press and cultural organisations in both countries will have access to fashion show material. The public will be invited to take part in fashion show workshops. They will be free to access, providing an experiential and creative opportunity for involvement with AR, VR and immersive technologies. The fashion shows and workshops will be followed by a public exhibition of all pieces, facilitating maximum exposure. The impacts of these activities are multiple, providing a showcase for Scottish and Chinese artisan fashion and textile producers/creatives and multimedia creatives, making the project outputs more accessible to new and wider audiences. The design of the website will also be made accessible to non-experts through a user-friendly interface, the use of non-academic language and global reach through bi-lingual text in both English and Chinese. The immersive technology outputs created by the project will be made freely available via the website.
The global business/Industry community will be beneficiaries of the research where collaboration with fashion and textile industry partners to design and exhibit fashion outfits and accessories will provide case study material for design and manufacture, design innovation and new product development and R&D models for companies to access. Through international PR for the brands and creatives involved in the project this will be shared to the business community through press and social media. The business and commercialisation workshops will support UK industry partners' understanding of the business practices and the fashion and textile market in China which will be disseminated through the website, and related outputs. For the creative industries, specifically small businesses all software developed will be published online, with open access, as a comprehensive system incorporating immersive technologies and 3D visualisations, providing an Immersive Technologies Toolkit together with an online, open access learning module. The computational toolkit will enable artisan fashion and textile practitioners and brands to enhance their digital skills and make use of immersive technologies.
Non-academic beneficiaries of this research will also include policy makers and third sector organsiations (e.g. through the British Fashion Council, The Textile Institute, the UK Fashion and Textile Institute, Highlands and Islands Enterprise.)
Organisations
- Robert Gordon University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Faga International Trading Co., Ltd. F PLUS (Collaboration)
- POP Fashion Shanghai (Collaboration)
- Yangzhou Hiexcel Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. (Collaboration)
- Look Again (Collaboration)
- Soluis (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Government of Scotland (Collaboration)
- Donghua University (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Harris Tweed Hebrides (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Shanghai Promotion Center for City of Fashion (Collaboration)
- Triumdoor Trading (Collaboration)
- Yangzhou Shanmeng Clothing Co. Ltd. (Collaboration)
- Nielanell (Collaboration)
- Triumdoor Trading Shanghai (Project Partner)
- Nielanell Design Studio (Project Partner)
- Shanghai Yan Yue Culture Communication (Project Partner)
- Shanghai Promotion Center (Project Partner)
- POP Fashion (Project Partner)
- Look Again Festival (Project Partner)
- Kirsteen Stewart (Project Partner)
- Yangzhou Shan Meng Clothing (Project Partner)
- Lateral North (Project Partner)
- Bailian Group Fashion Centre (Project Partner)
- Yangzhou Hiexcel Advanced Materials (Project Partner)
- F Plus International (Project Partner)
Publications
Cross K
(2023)
Immersive innovations for the communication of heritage, handcraft and sustainability
in International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education
Jin P
(2023)
Design and evaluation of multifunctional protective clothing for tunnel workers.
in International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE
Mesjar L
(2023)
The Intersection of Fashion, Immersive Technology, and Sustainability: A Literature Review
in Sustainability
| Title | A branding review |
| Description | A branding review has created a vibrant and relevant brand for the project with a set of guidelines to maximise engagement and enhance the online experience. An Instagram page has also been developed to showcase the project @augmented_fashion |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | A branding review has created a vibrant and relevant brand for the project with a set of guidelines to maximise engagement and enhance the online experience. An Instagram page has also been developed to showcase the project @augmented_fashion |
| Title | Augmented Fashion in Virtual Reality |
| Description | We had commissioned the artist Dr. John Walter to create the artistic VR experience for Augmented Fashion in August, the work had completed in October. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The VR contents will be used in the Virtual Fashion Show proposed in the project. In the meanwhile, we are working on a questionnaire of user experience in VR for Fashion & Textile customers. |
| URL | https://augmentedfashion.co.uk/vr-library |
| Title | Garments |
| Description | Industry partners Kirsteen Stewart and Niela Nell developed creative outputs inspired by Scotland and China, these were showcased at ICAF 22 and have been scanned for virtual applications |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Industry partners Kirsteen Stewart and Niela Nell developed creative outputs inspired by Scotland and China, these were showcased at ICAF 22 and have been scanned for virtual applications |
| URL | http://www.augmentedfashion.co.uk |
| Title | Harris Tweed Hebrides immersive experience |
| Description | Lateral North have made good progress on the Harris Tweed Hebrides immersive experience. Two films have been created with a third underway, a virtual mill experience and tour are also in development. Final outputs will be available with both English and Chinese subtitles |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The website and the experience have been shared with UKRI & AHRC China office to participate in Brdging Creativity - Celebrating UK-China Collaboration in Arts & Innovation at 16th March 2023 |
| URL | https://framevr.io/harristweedhebrides |
| Description | In October 2020, four workshops were delivered, via the Zoom platform (summary of key findings are listed below, detailed reports are available on www.augmentedfashion.co.uk ): 1. Augmented Opportunities: Brands can use immersive technologies to create brand awareness; Brands can use immersive technologies to show products; Brands can use immersive technologies to facilitate virtual fitting rooms. 2. Redesigning for Creative Recovery: The workshop was attended by 20 participants using the Zoom platform, facilitated by Tom Inns from Cofink. During the workshop the following themes were explored through group discussions: • Shifts in the way our products are consumed: We could invest in developing our marketing products and services strategically rather than reacting to what might be short-term trends. The pandemic has highlighted how changes in the economy and the way we work and live have such a huge impact on fashion and trends, we need ways to navigate our practices through this turbulence. • Shifts in the way our products are consumed • Shifts in the way we produce and make • Shifts in the way we innovate • Shifts in our narratives 3. Sustainable Fashion & Textiles in Scotland: The shift towards Zero Waste; People Matter More; The shift from a Consumer ethos to a Citizen ethos; Certifications and Sustainable Standards; Collaboration, Community and Sustainability 4. Understanding the Chinese Market: This two-hour workshop provided an opportunity for creative practitioners and makers associated with the Robert Gordon University, Augmented Fashion network to gain information on the Chinese market. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes can be taken forward and put to use by academic researchers in the UK and China, they are also extremely valuable to creative industries, third-party organizations for decision making, investment in digital technology, consumer experiences, and digital upskilling. The key findings can also be taken forward by educators and the general public to understand the state-of-the-art technology and sustainability issues that exist in the fashion & textile industry, we hope there will be longer impacts on the change in views, opinions, or behaviours. |
| Sectors | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail |
| URL | http://www.augmentedfashion.co.uk |
| Description | China and the UK both have long histories and deeply embedded cultural traditions related to textiles and clothing manufacture, using natural and renewable resources. In Scotland, we celebrate exclusive luxury products made of tweed, tartan and cashmere and wool, whereas China retains the heritage and craftsmanship required to produce what is still regarded as the world's finest silk products. To reverse the the damage the fashion and textile industry has on people and the planet, and move away from fast fashion, we need to build on these respective traditions and to reemphasize the skills of the craftsmen and craftswomen responsible for the generation of sustainable and durable quality products; products that may have a cost but products that will last a lifetime. Immersive technologies such as VR, AR and MR have the potential to show and tell these stories in new, exciting and engaging ways that cross cultures, borders and languages. In October 2020, four workshops were delivered, via the Zoom platform, the detailed short reports on each individual workshop will be released on www.augmentedfashion.co.uk soon: 1. Augmented Opportunities 2. Redesigning for Creative Recovery 3. Sustainable Fashion & Textiles in Scotland 4. Understanding the Chinese Market |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions For Sustainable Heritage In Fashion And Textiles |
| Amount | £499,377 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 01/2023 |
| Description | Capital Bid |
| Amount | £19,600 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Robert Gordon University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Digital economy telling tales of engagement awards |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2022 |
| End | 09/2023 |
| Description | Embedding sustainable business practices & a culture of innovation-led design, to create a legacy process platform into HTH |
| Amount | £163,250 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Full funded Ph.D. Studentship |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Robert Gordon University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2021 |
| End | 02/2024 |
| Description | Smart Fashion and Textile |
| Amount | £2,260 (GBP) |
| Organisation | SICSA Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| Description | The Royal Society of Edinburgh Arts and Humanities Research Network Award |
| Amount | £18,620 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Chinese university |
| Organisation | Donghua University |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We work with this partner from the beginning to the end of both projects. I met the partner from Donghua University on the Shanghai workshop organized and funded by AHRC in November 2018. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professor Rong Zheng (Shanghai International Innovation Centre, Donghua University) will be the 0.2 FTE Chinese Principal Investigator: she will project manage all activities in China and provide guidance on Chinese policies, procedures, and technical issues. Professor Zheng has access to a team of researchers who can provide further support to the project as necessary, and will line manage the Chinese research team. She will design and implement data collections tools for use in China (surveys, workshops, interviews), in collaboration with the UK PI, and analyze the data gathered. |
| Impact | The collaboration leads to the success of following funding stream: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 36 months project funded by AHRC, "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles", £1.3 million awarded, £500,000 from AHRC + £844,349 matched funding from all partners across UK & China. Continuing project from AHRC "UK-China Creative Industries Partnership Development Grants". June 2019, SICSA's DVF (Distinguished Visiting Fellow) scheme to invite the Chinese PI from Donghua University to visit Scottish Institutes. £2,260 awarded. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | F Plus International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. |
| Organisation | Faga International Trading Co., Ltd. F PLUS |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We've built this partnership during this project, and work with this partner to other projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | F Plus International (Shanghai) Trading Ltd. will provide advice on the Chinese and international fashion and textile markets, including import and export of goods, market research, brand management and PR activities. Staff costs (2 members of staff) contribute in-kind support of £42,000 to the project. F Plus will contribute cash support of £62,000 to the project, for immersive technology R&D, research and analytics, equipment purchase and travel to the UK for one 7-day trip to support the project A submission to the Shanghai Cultural Development Fund will be explored with F Plus, focusing on the use of animation for immersive experiences for Business-to-Business sales and marketing activities. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Harris Tweed Hebrides |
| Organisation | Harris Tweed Hebrides |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We are working together on this project and the following project from AHRC. Our team had also won the KTP project working with Harris Tweed Hebrides (HTH) for 24 months together starts from March 2020. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Harris Tweed Hebrides is the main producer of Harris Tweed handwoven fabrics. They are a globally recognized textile brand, used by major international fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Chanel, and Vivienne Westwood. They will provide tweed fabric for use by other industry partners in the project, and provide a unique opportunity for industry partners to work with them at their mill in Stornoway to develop bespoke fabrics that reflect the project's mix of the UK and Chinese culture. Their factory, island location and access to handweavers will provide opportunities for unique and engaging content capture for development into immersive experiences, aligning well with the project's focus on heritage, the human hand, value, slow fashion, and sustainable consumption. HTH's in-kind support contributes £9,750 of staff time and £2,600 of fabric for creative design development. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". This also leads to another success of a KTP project on Sustainable fashion & textile working with HTH. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Highland & Island Enterprise |
| Organisation | Government of Scotland |
| Department | Highlands & Islands Enterprise |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Mutual communications between the UK & Chinese creative industries; Sharing of findings from the Commercialisation Workshop and other R&D activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | HIE joined the project after we submitted the application to the call, they are actively joining the discussions of the project and sitting on the Steering Group of the project to provide professional consultancies based on their rich experience and knowledge on Scottish creative industries. They are also supporting our project within their network. |
| Impact | This partnership is a multi-disciplinary collaboration, majorly in Creative Industry and Enterprise. The outcomes of this partnership include: steering group discussions; consultancies on Scottish creative industries; help to increase the impact of the project activities through HIE's network. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Look Again Festival |
| Organisation | Look Again |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We are working with Look Again Aberdeen on both projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Look Again Aberdeen delivers cultural activities and festivals, bring valuable exhibition and event experience to the UK project team. Look Again's in-kind support contributes £4,100 in staff costs and venue hire and £350 cash support for event materials. |
| Impact | Leading to the success of 36 months project fund by AHRC: "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Nielanell |
| Organisation | Nielanell |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We work together on both projects funded by AHRC. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Neilanell is a knitted textile designer based on Shetland. Neilanell's in-kind support contributes £8,625 in staff costs to the project. |
| Impact | Leading to the success of 36 months project fund by AHRC: "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | POP Fashion |
| Organisation | POP Fashion Shanghai |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We've built this partnership on this project, and work with this partner for more other projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | POP Fashion, China's first online fashion trend forecasting and education service, will provide trend forecasting information to the project and support for immersive technology developments, both of which will be of significant value to the project, given POP's in-depth knowledge of the Chinese fashion industry, and its data-driven digital expertise. Their network of education centres across China will provide the potential for wider dissemination of the project. A submission to the Shanghai Cultural and Creative Fund will be explored with POP, seeking to commercialise the immersive technologies toolkit for use by Chinese and international artisan fashion and textile businesses, to enhance their use of digital technologies for new audiences and contemporary consumers. Staff costs (2 members of staff), R&D software costs and hosting visits from the UK project partners contribute in-kind support of £45,000 to the project. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Shanghai Promotion Centre for City of Fashion |
| Organisation | Shanghai Promotion Center for City of Fashion |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We work with this partner from the beginning to the end of both projects funded by AHRC. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Shanghai Promotion Centre for Fashion of City will lead the discussions with all industry partners in Shanghai. Their extensive industry network has already provided a range of industry partners to support the proposed project activities. Their proximity to and involvement with Donghua University will aid academic-industry communication, which will be important to the project's successful implementation. Mr Han brings extensive experience of managing and coordinating fashion events, both in China and in Edinburgh, in collaboration with the Edinburgh Festival and of successful funding applications. Staff costs (4 members of staff) and hosting visits contribute in-kind support of £45,402 to the project. Catering and venue hire will provide cash support of £4272. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Soluis Industry Partnership |
| Organisation | Soluis |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We work with this company from the beginning to the end of all projects connected. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Soluis, an international company involved in digital media, specializing in virtual reality for heritage preservation and interactive experience production brings technological expertise, access to high specification new technologies and a strong R&D profile to the project. Soluis will provide access to immersive reality equipment and staff, contributing £7,150 in-kind support to the project. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Triumdoor |
| Organisation | Triumdoor Trading |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We've built this connection during this project, and work with this partner for following up projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Triumdoor (Shanghai) Trading Co Ltd will provide consultancy services and access to equipment for digital outputs, including website production and online marketing. Staff costs, including consultancy and software engineers contribute in-kind support of £64,000 to the project. Support with technology development and testing provides a further £30,000. Triumdoor will also visit the UK to support the project workshops, once per year for the project duration (i.e. 3 visits), at an anticipated cash cost of £9,000. Their experience of the China International Import Expo and marketing/branding activities in China will be valuable to the internationalisation of UK industry. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Yangzhou |
| Organisation | Yangzhou Hiexcel Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We've built this connection in this project, and work together on the following up projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Hiexcel Advanced Material Co Ltd. will provide digital printing techniques and advice to the project, enabling the UK printed textile partner to widen knowledge and expertise and providing new techniques for application to traditional textiles such as Harris Tweed. They will also support market research and data analytics activities, which will be beneficial to UK industry partners and academic research outputs. Staff costs and hosting visits from the UK project partners contribute in-kind support of £31,000 to the project. The company will also provide systems development for immersive technologies and data gathering/analysis activities support of £99,000. Travel and equipment contribute cash support of £20, 900 to the project. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Yangzhou |
| Organisation | Yangzhou Shanmeng Clothing Co. Ltd. |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We've built this connection during this project, and work to follow-on projects for R&D challenges. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Yangzhou Shan Meng Clothing Co Ltd. will provide garment design and manufacture, to explore the use of traditional fabrics such as Harris Tweed for outdoor clothing and sportswear, with the potential to bring this fabric to a new market. Staff costs (fashion designers) and hosting visits from the UK project partners contribute in-kind support of £46,000 to the project. The company will also provide digital development support worth £15,000. Travel and equipment contribute cash support of £20,900 to the project. |
| Impact | This partnership leads to the success of the 36 months project funded by AHRC: 01/02/2020 - 01/02/2023 "Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles". |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Title | Augmented Reality Mobile Application for Augmented Fashion experience |
| Description | There isn't any licence attached to the software yet, the artist, Dr. John Walter, who created this will have the shared IP with Augmented Fashion Team, we are still under the discussion of how to release the app. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | We had commissioned the Augmented Reality mobile app development to the artist Dr. John Walter as proposed in the project, this piece of artwork will be used for research, virtual fashion show and the training purposes proposed in the project. |
| Description | Beyond Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We had contributed to the Beyond Conference in December 2020, bringing our project partners and the contents of our commercialization workshop to the conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://beyondconference.org/showcase/augmented-fashion/ |
| Description | Commercialization Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A key milestone for the Augmented Fashion project was the delivery of the planned commercialization workshop. This was originally planned for delivery at RGU in June but was postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown. However, the project team redesigned the workshop for online delivery, which ultimately proved beneficial as the online format enabled wider participation. The 4 workshops were delivered over 4 days, from 9.30-11.30 each day (to accommodate the time difference for Chinese partners). Workshop 1 explored immersive technologies for fashion and textiles, with contributions from Dr Yang Jiang (RGU) and POP Fashion (Shanghai). Workshop 2 focused on the future development of Creative Industries SMEs and the digital skills gap, delivered by CoFink business consultant Tom Innes and featuring project partner Nielanell knitwear. Workshop 3 explored sustainability in fashion and textiles from a Scottish perspective, featuring Circular Economy consultant Lynn Wilson, and Scottish businesses Prickly Thistle and Ava Innes. Workshop 4 explored doing business in the Chinese market, delivered by Chinese project partner Ms Shu, director of Yanyue Cultural Communication Ltd Shanghai. The workshops were publicised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, University PR, through project partner networks and on LinkedIn, with workshops 1, 3 and 4 open to all (businesses, students and the general public) and workshop 2 specifically for Creative Industries SMEs. The sessions were recorded and will be made available on the project website once editing is complete. Short reports on the key findings will also be produced and disseminated via the project website. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.augmentedfashion.co.uk |
| Description | Guest Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Guest Lecture on Augmented Fashion project targeting the students in the School of Computing, Robert Gordon University |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | International Conference on Augmented Fashion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | International Conference on Augmented Fashion, Nov 2022: ICAF 22 was held as a hybrid conference in Aberdeen and online. The event attracted 26 speakers from 7 countries (China, Vietnam, India, Nigeria, New Zealand, USA and UK), with more than 200 registrations for the events. The team presented along with project partners, reaching an international audience. ICAF received considerable media attention on radio, print and tv. 3 PhD students attached to the Augmented Fashion project presented their work at the conference. We worked with MDPI Sustainability on a Special Issue: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/Augmented_Fashion_Sustainable_Fashion_Textiles_Digital We also have one journal paper published at this journal: The Intersection of Fashion, Immersive Technology and Sustainability: A Literature Review. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | http://augmentedfashion.co.uk/menu.html |
| Description | Invited presentation on project to Aberdeen Climate Action event on Fast Fashion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation on project to Aberdeen Climate Action event on Fast Fashion on 6th October 2020 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lELzIjVYHRM |
| Description | Lunchtime Talk: Augmented Fashion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Josie introduces her research called 'Augmented Fashion' working in partnership with academics at Donghua University in Shanghai. They explore how interactive and immersive technologies can be used, to inform and educate about the heritage and value of traditional artisan textile and craft skills both in the UK, specifically Scotland and in China, where both countries have long histories and cultural traditions related to textile making. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/whats-aberdeen-art-galleries-and-museums/lunchtime-talk-augment... |
| Description | Partner workshop exploring technical requirements and challenges |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Partner workshop exploring technical requirements and challenges. Lateral North, project commissioned artist - Dr. John Walter joined the workshop together with the project team including the PhD students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation at Futurescan 5 FTC Conference, University of Leeds |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Two presentations were made at the Futurescan 5 FTC Conference (7 Sept 22 - Leeds), University of Leeds. They are: Augmented Fashion, Digital innovations for the communication of heritage, handcraft and sustainability; and Augmenting Textile Craft Making in Scotland |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation at MeCCSA 2023 Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Abstract accepted and paper to be presented to MeCCSA 2023 conference at Glasgow Caledonian University: Connected Futures, the role of Virtual Reality in engaging the contemporary consumer |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation at the 10th International Digital Storytelling Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at the 10th International Digital Storytelling Conference: Storytelling sustainability for a fashionable-sustainable future: Harris Tweed and the contemporary consumer (20 June 22 - online) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation of Augmented Fashion project on Culture Heritage 360 in Durham University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Invited to talk about "Augmented Fashion" project in AHRC funded networking project "Cultural Heritage 360" in Durham University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://culturalheritage360.wordpress.com/workshop-5-cultural-heritage-and-creative-industry/ |
| Description | Presentation on UK-Shanghai Creative Industries Virtual Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Participation of The Arts and Humanities Research Council and Innovate UK (both part of UK Research and Innovation), together with the Shanghai Theatre Academy, in exploring the future of UK-China Research-Industry collaborations in the Creative Industries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation to 2nd Sustainability Workshop series by UArctic, University of Akureyri, Iceland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to 2nd Sustainability Workshop series by UArctic, University of Akureyri, Iceland: Augmented Fashion, Using immersive technologies to develop sustainable fashion practices and consumption (8 April 22 - online) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation, video demonstration and exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We are invited to participating in the Bridging Creativity - Celebrating UK-China Collaboration in Arts & Innovation, happening in Shanghai on 16th March 2023. We presented our project in various ways including a presentation from Chinese PI on the project; an exhibition on project outcomes and garments made from Harris Tweed fabrics curated by our industry partner, video & images demonstration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Project represented as part of Women in STEM event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The project was represented as part of the Women in STEM event hosted by the School of Computing at Robert Gordon University. The event was open to general public, and had invited speakers coming from Abertay University and Robert Gordon University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Sustainable Strategies for Scotland and Lower Saxony |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation on the project at European Centre for Advanced Studies (ECAS) Scotland Joint Forum as part of USE-LESS - Sustainable Strategies for Scotland and Lower Saxony on 24th November 2020. The workshop around the critical state of fashion and the consumption and production of textile products were structured into three different areas of discussion: 1. conditions for change 2. role of education 3. engagement of economy and public. During the workshop, a wide variety of topics were discussed, focussing on aspects involving the role of the consumer in respect of sustainable values and ethical behavior. It was discussed, which roles future designers will play and how they can become facilitators for change. Furthermore, the question was raised, how sustainability could be a vital part of education and how university curricula could be opened for a more holistic and transdisciplinary approach. The workshop participants agreed, that transformation towards a more sustainable fashion system, needs involvement of everyone involved at all stages of the textile product life cycle, consumers and "the industry" alike. Consciousness and empathy of the consumers should be raised. All of this could be possible tasks for future fashion designers. Outcomes - New joint project ideas, e.g., for joint research, new study programmes, student/staff exchanges, other collaborations etc. (please mention potential partners if applicable) o Exchange and new impulses for the already existing collaboration between HsH, RGU and HWU as part of the Scotland Initiative and Fokus International. "USELESS Sustainable Strategies for Scotland and Lower Saxony" o Decision of partners to apply on a start-up funding together for joint research (Arts and Humanities Research Council Networking Grant). o Workshop raised new questions and areas of interest for the application o Better awareness of problems and possible solutions for the joint research - Extension of already existing collaborations (please mention new partners if applicable) o Strengthening already existing collaborations between the partners. o New potential partners from the ZWDO-Collective in Glasgow o Interest raised of new study areas - First ideas for funding sources o Currently working on funding application through the AHRC Networking Grant as a start-up funding to secure financing of partner universities o Currently on the third stage of the application process "Fokus International" o Longer-term prospects: § Application for an international and transdisciplinary research project as part of larger-scale funding (e.g. Horizon Europe) with interested European partner universities - Any other ideas you may have for future collaborations o Practice-based workshops, mixed workshops to encourage networking and discover new areas, for example, "Design meets Science" workshops and programs o Hybrid formats - Anything thing else you would like us to inform about: o High potential for collaborations with other study-areas, universities, brands and companies and institutes in the field of sustainability and transformation. We are now manifesting contacts and starting discussions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://joint-forum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Joint-Forum-Workshop-Timetable.pdf |
| Description | XpoNorth Shorts EP33 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Josie Steed is a researcher in textiles and design at Gordon University, with a focus on the role of craft skills and how it fits in our more digital futures. Talking all things augmented fashion, and a collaboration with China, Josie offers deep insight into how textiles and design future is developing...along with announcing some workshop and course offerings, available to everyone! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://xponorth.co.uk/xntv/augmented-fashion-with-josie-steed-xponorth-shorts-ep33 |