Fashion Roundtable Partners with Bath Spa University to deliver the vision for the National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability

Bath Spa University has partnered with Fashion Roundtable to deliver impact and policy-change to power a transition to sustainable fashion futures. BSU will support the work of two policy researchers within Fashion Roundtable, for an initial period of two years. In return, Fashion Roundtable will work with BSU on real change to the fashion industry, including the development of successful research and knowledge exchange around all aspects of sustainable fashion.

BSU’s National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability (NCFS) is a space where leading thinkers, learners, businesses and communities can connect to drive the fashion and textile industry toward new, regenerative practices that are healthy for people and the planet.

Bath Spa University is uniquely placed to bring this radical vision to life.

Fashion Roundtable’s policy expertise will drive the National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability’s research and policy projects on the issues and opportunities of the fashion and textile journey. From farming practices, natural dyeing, zero waste design and garment end of life, to critiquing and transforming economic models, political levers, promoting heritage craft skills, and our engagement with and consumption of AI and the metaverse, this will in turn support the NCFS with ambitious new modes of teaching and enterprise opportunities.

Tamara Cincik, Professor of Fashion and Sustainability, Director of the National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability and CEO of Fashion Roundtable said: “Our vision is to drive systemic change throughout the fashion value chain, fostering a culture of sustainability that prioritises environmental stewardship, social equity and economic resilience across multiple disciplines. This partnership between Bath Spa University and Fashion Roundtable allows policy to become an integral part of university life and business opportunities in an exciting new way, which embeds creativity, culture and wellbeing as a central theme of research and education at the National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability. From winning the acclaimed Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2024, to being a Certified Social Enterprise, Bath Spa University is invested in values, actions and curricula which place creativity, innovation and enterprise at its core.”

Professor Sue Rigby, Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University said: “BSU is the home of Professional Creativity, and this partnership allows us to apply that framing to the wicked problems of a fashion industry that is unsustainable and highly polluting. We can empower local businesses to develop sustainable fashion into an ever-larger part of the South West economy and increase the vital skills of making, designing and business development to support the entrepreneurs of the future. In doing so, we are a perfect proof-of-concept to marry with Fashion Roundtable as they promote policy change in this area.”