Guest Blog: Shaping Futures: Careers in Fashion, Textiles, and Creative Subjects

In a world increasingly driven by innovation, self-expression, and sustainability, careers in fashion, textiles, and creative subjects are more relevant than ever. These industries blend making skills with technology, tradition with modernity, and personal passion with global impact. These careers are not just about aesthetics—they're about storytelling, identity, culture, and innovation. They offer dynamic career paths that evolve with trends, technology, and societal shifts. 

Britain’s art schools have long been the crucible of creative innovation, shaping some of the most influential designers and thinkers of our time. From Vivienne Westwood’s rebellious fashion to James Dyson’s revolutionary product design and Norman Foster’s architectural genius, these institutions have nurtured talent that has transformed industries and inspired generations.

As an advocate for creative careers, I believe that fashion, textiles, and design are not just aesthetic pursuits, they are powerful economic drivers, tools for social change, and gateways to personal fulfilment. The UK’s creative industries are thriving, and the opportunities within them are as diverse as the people who pursue them. 

The UK fashion and textile industry is a cornerstone of the national economy. According to a landmark report commissioned by UKFT, the sector contributed £62 billion to UK GDP, supported 1.3 million jobs, and generated over £23 billion in tax revenues. That is one in every 25 jobs in the UK. Source: UK Fashion & Textile Association, Industry Footprint Report, 2023. 

Meanwhile, the design economy contributed £97.4 billion in gross value added (GVA) in 2019, employing nearly two million people across sectors such as product design, digital design, and architecture. These figures underscore the importance of creative thinking not just in cultural terms, but in economic and societal ones. Source: Design Council, Design Economy Report, 2019.

British art schools are world-renowned for their emphasis on experimentation, collaboration, and fearless creativity.  De Montfort University, where I teach, began as Leicester School of Art in 1870, for men and women. It offered courses in printing, design, shoemaking, contour (lingerie, swimwear) fashion, and textile design, many of which are still taught today.

- Collaboration: Students work across disciplines, sharing ideas and challenging norms.

- Experimentation: Mistakes are embraced as part of the learning process.

- Design Thinking: Students are encouraged to explore the unknown, not just solve predefined problems.

- Making: Access to workshops and technical skills fosters hands-on learning.

- Cross-Pollination: for example, Textile students collaborate with architecture students, exploring how soft materials can contribute to sustainable building design and vice versa.

This ethos of “don’t stay in your lane” creates a vibrant community where innovation flourishes. My own journey into fashion and textiles began with my grandmother. She taught me how to sew and took me to Yorkshire markets to choose fabrics, often ends of rolls from the region’s finest spinners and weavers. Her encouragement and insistence on excellence sparked a lifelong passion for practical, creative education.

I studied knitwear at Liverpool Art College and won a Royal Society of Arts and Government award, which placed me in industry to foster innovation. Since then, I’ve worked as a buyer, knitwear designer, trend forecaster, freelance designer, and in the spinning industry developing trend-led yarns. Each role has shown me that there is a career path for every discipline within the creative industries. Creative careers span a wide spectrum, from business-oriented roles to hands-on design and innovation. 

As we move into an era dominated by artificial intelligence and digital transformation, creative thinking becomes even more vital. We can generate images with AI, but we still need critical evaluation, problem-solving, and human insight to turn ideas into meaningful outcomes. 

In 2024, De Montfort University partnered with the National Saturday Club to offer free creative sessions to 13–16-year-olds. Our Fashion and Business club teaches practical skills while encouraging students to shape the weekly program themselves. 

This is where the journey begins, at grassroots level. Learning craft skills as a hobby or in school can spark a lifelong passion. Dryad, once the world’s largest craft supplier and originally based in Leicester, joined forces with us to support these sessions. 

Challenges remain, skills shortages, sustainability hurdles, and trade barriers, but the potential for growth is immense. The UK fashion and textile industry could support an additional £15 billion in GVA and 100,000 more jobs if it returns to its 2019 size.

Creative Careers Offer:

- Diverse Opportunities: From design to business, there’s a role for every skill set.

- Economic Impact: Contribute to thriving industries that shape the UK economy.

- Personal Fulfillment: Express your identity, values, and vision.

- Social Contribution: Drive innovation, sustainability, and cultural change.

- Community: Join a network of passionate, like-minded individuals.

Malcolm McLaren, a pioneer of the punk movement, saw art school as a place that fostered experimentation and community, even through failure. That spirit lives on in today’s creative institutions. Creative subjects are not just about making things, they’re about making meaning. They teach us to think independently, evaluate critically, and imagine boldly. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, these skills are more valuable than ever.

Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or practitioner, I encourage you to champion creative careers. Support the next generation of designers, makers, and thinkers. Invest in the unknown. Explore the “what ifs.”  Because creativity isn’t just a career - it’s a way of life.

Visit the DeMontfort University website for more information https://www.dmu.ac.uk