Perspectives on Fashion

Postgraduate Research Conference 2025

5 November 2025
Business School
Manchester Metropolitan University

Our postgraduate research students work on conceptual and applied research, and across various methodologies including practice-based research. They consider fashion in its broadest sense, from a material or digital object, to an expanded field of cultural activity over space and time, to a context for commercial activity, addressing topics such as ethics, diversity, identity, sustainability, digital innovation, supply chains, and consumption, with a focus on fashion as a force for good in society at large. The event will showcase a small selection of our postgraduate research students’ work on a variety of fashion research themes.

Conference Schedule

Welcome

 
Dr Patsy Perry
Research Lead, Manchester Fashion Institute

Introduction & Chair

Dr Celina Jones
Postgraduate Research Degrees Lead, Manchester Fashion Institute

Conference Opening

Dr Derek Bousfield
Doctoral College Faculty Head, Manchester Metropolitan University

Research Presentations

Sarah Collins
IdentiKit: Exploring fan participation in the design process of the football shirt

Navisa Tizro Iranagh
Identity expression of non-binary individuals through clothing: A sociological analysis of body and clothing

Davinder Johal
Small and medium sized South Asian family fashion businesses: Competitive advantage and their unique capital

Blanche Bai
Virtual bond, real (dis)engagement: How do virtual influencers engage/disengage Gen Z on TikTok through brand evaluation?

Maheen Sarwar
Orange peel fabric: Determining its environmental and health benefits and exploring its potential for functional applications

Ogechukwu Mary Okeke
The environmental and public health impacts of second-hand clothing waste, with a focus on solid waste pollution

Sophie Scott
From a design perspective: An investigation into consumer fabric waste solutions at a micro-business level

Rita Zhai
Humanisation and digitalisation in luxury fashion

Alumni talk – Careers after a PhD

Dr Sophie Wood

Research Degrees at Manchester Fashion Institute