Manchester Fashion Institute teamed up with Canterbury of New Zealand to host a competition for Level 6 students studying Fashion Design and Technology.

Manchester Fashion Institute teamed up with Canterbury of New Zealand to host a competition for Level 6 students studying Fashion Design and Technology.

Canterbury provided a ‘Live Brief’, asking the contestants to “create a unique pattern/panel solution for a rugby uniform, a jersey and shorts, which works with the players’ body shape and enables them to perform better in a game day solution.”

The student contestants worked alongside the players that wear the kit to gain feedback and insight ensuring they could design innovative ‘zero distraction’ garments. The students engaged with in-depth research as part of their design process by analysing player physique and 3D body scan data taken from the England International team and by studying the on-field movement and the stresses of the game. 

The two competition winners, Level 6 Fashion Design and Technology Sportswear students Matthew McGroarty and Rebecca Clarke, were awarded a two week internship at Canterbury’s Head Office.

 Rebecca Clarke said of the experience: “For me, entering the Canterbury competition was a great experience because it was a chance to combine skills that I learned in university and in industry from my placement. Partaking in the interview stage, and winning, has helped me become more confident and has definitely made me very proud of my work.”