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MA Fashion Knitwear Design student secures sponsored trip to Shanghai

Phoebe Edwards travels to Shanghai in October to train on the Santoni Pioneer Program for eight weeks.

    Phoebe Edwards knitwear designs
    Phoebe Edwards' knitted sportswear collection

    The Santoni Pioneer Program (SPP) is a fully-sponsored eight-week seamless and circular knitwear programme, worth approximately £6,000. It offers creative, innovative and highly motivated designers the chance to network with industry expert manufacturers, and push the boundaries of knitwear designs and uses.

    Applicants developed their knitwear designs spanning across underwear, outerwear, socks and shoe fabrics for Santoni’s Autumn/Winter 2019-2020 collection.

    Phoebe Edwards, MA Fashion Knitwear Design student, secured her place on the SPP and jets off to Shanghai in October. She told us: “I’m most looking forward to learning circular knitting! I love learning how to work new machinery, and how to develop my knitwear designs. As I specialise in sportswear, there are many factors to include when constructing my garments.”

    “My practice is an exploration into the relationship between technical stitches for compression, heat harnessing, stretch and joint support through the medium of knitwear, combined with performance enhancing and recovery yarns. My aim is to create a series of ski base layers that provides a second skin for the body during increased activity.”

    Her inspiration came from her infatuation with Japanese architecture, specifically with outdoor staircases and balconies. She had the opportunity to spend six weeks in Japan at the start of her Masters degree on a Paul Smith scholarship.

    She continued: “I’m really excited to network and innovate with other designers from around the globe. This is an amazing opportunity - literally tailored to my practice, and I am over the moon to be accepted.”

    Sean Prince, Principal Lecturer in MA Fashion Knitwear Design added: “The training Phoebe will receive will be invaluable in relation to her Masters project and her plans to further her study at PhD level. During the programme, she will be developing seam free products and the knowledge gained will greatly enhance her skills and understanding in her specialist area of knitted sports performance and compression layers.”

    Published on 9 May 2018
    • Subject area: Art and design
    • Category: NTU Arts; School of Art & Design