Manchester Fashion Institute staff and students collaborated with Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo and LISAA Fashion School in Paris on an innovative fashion design project exploring the legacy of renowned British fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Students from the three institutions were tasked with investigating McQueen’s signature themes of duality and storytelling within fashion. Working collaboratively, they engaged in cross-cultural research, drawing inspiration from exhibitions in Manchester, Paris, and Tokyo. By examining historical influences, traditional craftsmanship, and textile techniques from each region, they developed a series of concept packs including surface treatments and textile sampling that formed the foundation of their creative journey.

The project was taught as a collaborative online international learning project (COIL), with students collaborating and exchanging ideas through various modes of digital communication across creative platforms, social media, and international messaging apps.

BA Fashion student Miranda shared, “This opportunity pushed me to break through my creative boundaries, thanks to the incredible ideas and skills shared by everyone involved. As the group leader, I had the privilege of guiding my team through a presentation to the Alexander McQueen design team, whose constructive feedback was truly invaluable.”

Building on the collaborative research, each university produced a series of textile samples exploring surface treatments and a complete ‘total look’, which was presented to Alexander McQueen’s Embroidery and Special Projects Team and the teaching teams from Manchester Met, LISAA, and Bunka Gakuen. The final designs, representing a fusion of global perspectives and innovative craftsmanship, were showcased in a travelling exhibition featuring work from all three institutions. This exhibition was initially shown in January 2025.  As part of a study tour to Tokyo, Manchester Fashion Institute students had the opportunity to view their peers’ work in person.