Formed in 1977, the Association of Fashion and Textile Courses (FTC) is a subject association which exists to promote and develop fashion and textiles through academic debate, education and research. The Association, through its networks has links with industry, public and professional bodies and acts to advise on quality in educational matters. The aims of the FTC are to:
• Stimulate academic debate across the constituent elements of fashion, textiles and related areas, in order to maintain an informed and current overview of the sector;
• Provide a forum for discussion, support and dissemination of learning and teaching, research, practice and scholarly activity for fashion and textiles;
• Liaise with public and professional bodies to advise on quality educational matters and take a pro-active role in lobbying the interests of the sector.
The Association actively supports and promotes fashion, textiles and related research through conferences, symposia and events. Hosted by The Glasgow School of Art, Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities, 11th-12th November 2015, marked the third conference in the Futurescan series. The first conference Mapping the Territory, took place at the University of Liverpool in 2009, followed in 2013 by Collective Voices at Sheffield Hallam University. FTC conferences and publications disseminate preliminary, existing and completed projects, which reflect a continually evolving research culture. Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities brought together educators, established and early career researchers, postgraduate students and industry practitioners. With an increased number of submissions, this most recent conference captures the development of fashion and textiles research post REF2014. In particular, there were increased co-authored, collaborative submissions and participation from postgraduate researchers, many of whom previously attended the annual FTC Research Event.
The multifaceted identities of those employed by the fashion and textiles sector triggered the overarching theme of Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities. In higher education individuals operate in complex roles as teachers, educators, facilitators, instructors, mentors, supervisors, creative practitioners, researchers, collaborators, coordinators, managers and leaders. They do so in a continually evolving system, responsive to external factors including the latest government agendas, policy initiatives and industry developments. The fashion and textiles industry is transient. Creative professionals work as designers, artists, makers, colourists, stylists, photographers, illustrators, technologists, futurologists, curators, authors, historians, conservators, journalists, buyers, marketers and publicists. It is commonplace for individuals to associate with numerous intersecting identities within the global fashion and textiles community. The selected double-blind peer reviewed papers featured in this publication encompass research projects intersecting around the following themes:
• Education and Industry
• Research and Teaching
• History and Contemporary Practice
• Creative Practice and Theory
• Making and Technology
• Sustainability and Society
• Local and Global Communities
The Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities keynote speakers provided diverse and international perspectives surrounding the conference themes. Professor Carole Collet from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, focused on innovative research at the intersection of biology and design to create sustainable futures. Noa Raviv, Creative Director NOA RAVIV, described experiences from student, to graduate, to independent practitioner, highlighting the importance of making mistakes and connecting with industry to develop innovative work, utilising combinations of traditional textile techniques and 3D printing. Timorous Beasties Founder and Designer, Paul Simmons, took delegates on a journey from printed textiles specialisation and key historical influences, to cross-disciplinary design practice. Finally, Reiko Sudo, Professor at Tokyo Zokei University, Design Director and Owner of Nuno Corporation and ‘weaver of new ideas’ discussed intersecting traditional techniques, materials and aesthetics with cutting-edge technologies to create innovative textiles. To accompany this presentation delegates interacted with numerous textile samples produced by Nuno Corporation.
For the first time, the Futurescan conference linked with two associate journals Fashion Practice: The Journal of Design, Creative Process & the Fashion Industry and Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice (JTDRP) published by Routledge (Taylor & Francis). These connections have resulted in further opportunities for delegates to publish. A call issued by the JTDRP requested articles developed from conference papers and a special edition of the journal will be published 2016-17.
www.ftc-online.org.uk