Knitwear firm to work with museum on fashion project

Historic knitwear firm John Smedley has offered its support to a sustainable fashion programme devised by Derby Museums, which aims to inspire young people’s creativity and curiosity.

The museum is set to receive £45,000 from Art Fund’s Reimagine programme – designed to inspire creativity and increase stability and resilience in museums.

It will use the cash to support a new project on sustainable fashion, responding to feedback from museum visitors who expressed their desire to learn more about textiles, considering the Museum of Making’s history as a former Silk Mill.

Jess Mcguire-Dudley, deputy managing director at John Smedley, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Derby Museums on this project.

“It provides a great opportunity to engage young people via a series of workshops to showcase the journey of materials through to the yarn creation stages and the manufacturing processes within John Smedley’s historic mill in Derbyshire.

“Each student will have the opportunity to engage with every aspect from farm to finished garment and learn about the processes involved in making a British wool garment in the UK and the career opportunities available within the British manufacturing and textile industries.”

The project will culminate in an on-gallery takeover at the Museum of Making, offering practical solutions, empowering young people to think sustainably and make a difference.

Charlotte Convey, head of learning at Derby Museums, said: “What a great opportunity for our younger audiences to be able to participate in a variety of activities led by industry experts all involved in promoting and leading change within the textiles and fashion sector.

“We hope this will empower them to make more informed decisions about their future consumption of materials and to consider how their future career options can contribute to a more sustainable and carbon neutral future.”