Fashion and business researcher and lecturer Jake Leith shares expertise.
15 Aug 2013
Jake Leith, who is lecturer for Business and Professional Practice in Fashion and Textiles at the University of Brighton Faculty of Arts and President of the Chartered Society of Designers, the professional body for designers and the authority on professional design practice, recently provided his knowledge and expertise at two events related to learning and business.
His first engagement was a public lecture at the East Surrey College Festival of Learning, which examined the changing face of marketing within the fashion sector.
Leith said: “Due to the development of technology and social media, the front row at any major fashion show is no-longer complete without fashion bloggers joining the press officers and buyers.
“People around the globe see runway shows instantaneously through live streaming and can pre-order before garments and accessories have been produced. Retailers have been forced to review their in-store and online activities as a result of digital media, often making shopper-focused considerations in preference to being product-led.”
The festival also included skills workshops on a variety of subjects including art techniques, languages and career change.
Leith was also one of three panel members at a high-profile MDHUB Opinions debate entitled: What positive inspiration is growing out of Sussex’s creative revival? chaired by broadcaster, presenter and consultant Simon Fanshawe. MDHUB is a business club for leading managing directors. It is dedicated to spreading best practice through peer-to-peer contact with the aim of helping members develop sustainable business growth.
The debate explored Sussex's current thriving creative climate. It addressed the question of why the area is so creatively unique and how digital cities such as Brighton have been generating significant cultural developments throughout the UK as well as globally.
The Business and Professional Practice in Fashion and Textiles programme, led by Leith, encompasses a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses which prepare students for work in the fashion and textiles design or fashion related industries. Leith is currently involved with the UK consultation of Chartered Designers which will culminate in a conference planned for October 2012. This will focus on the need for the professional qualification of Chartered Designer, how best to intergrate it into design education and how design education may support its on-going delivery.
The fashion and textiles teaching team offers expertise in research skills, concept development and the production of garment collections or textile samples and products.
