New Landscapes is a multi-year partnership between the British Council and UAL Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute. The programme was designed in response to global drivers, including the climate crisis and the impacts of COVID-19 on communities globally. It fosters international collaboration and cooperation to reevaluate the fashion, textiles and technology industry’s approach to finite resources, and its approach to environmental and social sustainability.
The programme supports innovation and knowledge exchange to shape the future of sustainable fashion, textiles and technology. This is achieved through international research and development partnerships between small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on highlighting the cultural, social and environmental values of fashion, textiles and technology.
Each research and development partnership has benefited from funding, in-kind expert academic and industry support, networking and presentation opportunities, communications and marketing support. To date, the programme has supported over 40 businesses in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, and the UK.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will learn about the geographic scope of the partnership, see examples of R&D, prototyped products, textiles and garments, learn about the participating businesses, and see how the New Landscapes programme has fostered sustainable innovation internationally.
Join us at Material Matters on Wednesday 16 September, at 12.30–1.15pm, for a panel discussion exploring the impact and importance of international collaboration in material innovation, through the lens of the British Council’s New Landscapes India programme.
Chaired by Sally Denton, Associate Director of Academic Partnerships at UAL FTTI, the conversation will explore what international collaboration makes possible - from new material approaches to new ways of working.
The exhibition will be shown from 15–17 September 2026, as part of Shoreditch Design Week and the London Design Festival at Material Matters (UNLOCKED Shoreditch, 118 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PJ). Attendance is free, but you must register beforehand.
About UAL Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute
UAL Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (UAL FTTI) addresses sustainability challenges facing some of the most complex and fast-moving global industries. UAL FTTI deploys interdisciplinary approaches toward research and development (R&D) operating at the nexus of fashion, textiles and technology sectors.
UAL FTTI convenes expertise from UAL’s six colleges and three specialist research institutes, working with established industry and higher education networks.
UAL FTTI’s interdisciplinary capability spans: design, anthropology, fibre chemistry, bio-technology, materials engineering, digital, manufacturing and production, consumer behaviour, business and management.