Fever Few design and materials for sustainability

Fever few sought an academic collaboration to research potentional design and materials for a new product of women’s gardening trousers or shorts. As well as addressing the sustainability credential of the brand, the brief seeks a creative vision for innovative design and construction to make the product something different to what is available on the market now as well as appealing to women of all ages. As GCU has a BA programme developed to equip students in fashion design and business, as well as a focus on sustainability and the common good, GCU is well positioned to embark on a research project that fits the need of the brand. The project will be led by Dr Elaine Ritch and Laura Hardingham, and two research assistants who will be recruited through the fashion design and business programme. This may be alumni or current outstanding students. Once recruited, the two research assistants will be recruited 3.5 hours each per week. It was decided that two research assistants working reduced hours would be more beneficial as they can share research and ideas that will help to progress the project. Although they will work independently, they will also share findings and speculate to innovate and explore. In addition, we propose that there will be 1 hour per month discussion with both of the project leads to check progress and provide guidance for further development. This will ensure we make good progress towards a technical pack which can support production.