The IET/Fashion District Manufacturing Futures Prize : What’s engineering got to do with fashion? Quite a lot, actually!
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) reach their 150th anniversary this year, and as part of the celebrations the charity is working with some unlikely partners to share the possibilities of what STEM can offer with wider society, as well as changing the narrative on what being an engineer really means.
One of the key partnerships during the anniversary year is with the Fashion District and University of the Arts London (UAL). Together they have launched Manufacturing Futures 2021: the Fashion District Innovation Challenge Prize.
The challenge is designed to find innovative technological solutions to current industry issues across retail, manufacturing, and design. This could include solutions for waste reduction, digital sampling, sustainable materials, garment up-cycling, process automation, personalisation, and supply chain efficiencies. Interested in applying? Find out how via the IET’s website.
The challenge is open to start-ups and SMEs who believe that their business has the potential to revolutionise any part of the fashion supply chain. And as the IET are involved, all applications must feature the use of technology. The business proposition must also operate out of the UK or intend to be piloted or rolled out in the UK.
Manufacturing Futures gives the chance for SMEs to win cash prizes, business support, and the opportunity to pitch to some of the industry’s leading brands and innovators such as Make UK, IBM, H&M, Pangaia and the Fashion Innovation Agency.
The challenge is open for entries until 29 March 2021 and the closing pitch events with finalists will take place in September 2021.
Helen Lax, Director at Fashion District commented:
“Working in partnership with the IET on this year’s Fashion District Innovation Challenge is a compelling and unique opportunity. By bringing our sectors together we will forge new collaborations between technologists and engineers, fashion start-ups and manufacturers, and give rise to new tech solutions for fashion manufacturing.
In the Institution’s 150th anniversary year we are joining forces to bring out the ‘DifferenceMakers’ and seek the tech start-ups that will tackle sustainability, confront the fashion industry’s most challenging issues, and truly change the future. The outcomes could start a whole new way of thinking”.
For more information and on how to enter, visit the IET’s website
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