Dr Phoebe Apeagyei

Senior Lecturer, Fashion Technology

Dr Phoebe Apeagyei

Senior Lecturer, Fashion Technology

Email: p.apeagyei@mmu.ac.uk

Telephone: 0161 247 2779

Biography Research Office

Academic and professional qualifications

Phoebe is a Senior Lecturer of Fashion Technology at the Manchester Metropolitan University. She is a creative and qualified Apparel Product Developer who has worked as a fashion model, design room coordinator and freelance fashion designer in London and USA, prior to embarking on an academic career in Manchester.

She currently teaches and supervises research projects at PhD, MSc /MA  and BSc /BA levels degree levels within the Faculty. Her subject unit leadership roles have included MSc Fashion Technology and BA/BSc Design Research, Development and Presentation. She has served as the Departmental Project Coordinator for Specific Apparel Design Development; and under her supervision MMU students have featured in top positions winning fashion design awards on competitive global platforms.

Previous Employment

Phoebe has always had a keen interest in creative apparel development and as a growing child used to make dolls clothes out of paper and fabric pieces that fell off her mother’s sewing table. As a young adult, she adopted an ‘alchemic’ approach to innovation (up-cycling) and would often craft out of superfluous materials and redundant accessories, shapely custom made clothes. As a fashion design and technology student, her final year collection was examined by the renowned British Designer Alexander McQueen, who selected her Nautical themed final design collection to take part in the National Graduate Fashion Week event at Earls Court, London. The range was later exhibited week-long as an exclusive collection within the main BHS store at the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, Greater London.

To combine her practical experience with educational qualifications, she studied for a postgraduate certificate and Bachelor’s degree in Education and Training at the University of Greenwich in London; and completed her master’s degree with distinction in Clothing Product Development, focussing her MSc thesis on Mass Customisation. She earned her doctoral degree at the Manchester Metropolitan University where she quested to develop a framework that equipped consumers with clothes that matched their image profiles, fitted their body shape and and also provided efficient garment fit. The research led to an encounter with body scanning technology for sizing and garment fit. Her sustained interest in technology and in interrogating body size variation led to her establishment of the Faculty’s first Anthropometric laboratory equipped with a state-of-the-art 3D body scanning technology for research and teaching. Application of scanning technology has since been key in promoting research collaborations within the university and external partners. It is also central to the Department of Apparel’s Research Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise activities with industry partners.  This was significant to the Department’s recent award for Excellence in Enterprise.

Phoebe was actively involved in primary data collection and analysis of UK’s first national children’s sizing survey using 3D body scanning technology [Shape GB].  As an invited guest, her lecturing experiences include Universities in Asia (China) and Africa (Ghana).

Prizes and awards

  • PhD in Apparel Fit Analysis and Fashion Technology
  • MSc in Clothing Product Development
  • BA (Hons) in Education and Training
  • PGCE [Primary focus: Post Compulsory Education & Training]
  • CText ATI [Chartered Member of The Textile Institute International]

Membership of professional associations

  • Council Member of The Textile Institute, Charted Institute for Textiles, Clothing & Footwear. Section board member for the Manchester & Cheshire Division, UK.
  • Section Committee Member of The Textile Institute, Manchester & Cheshire Division, UK.
  • Core Member of Research Centre Management Group: Apparel Research Group (ARG), Manchester. UK. 
  • Member of the Strategic Management Board, Manchester Institute for Research & Innovation in Art & Design (MIRIAD) UK.
  • Member of Faculty Research Degrees Committee, Manchester Metropolitan University.

External examiner roles

External Examiner for Research Degrees [PhD, MPhil, MSc & MA]

Postgraduate research supervision

PhD Projects Supervised/Directed:

  • The Communication of Ethical Fashion Brands to Mainstream Consumers.
  • Up-cycling: Can Sustainable Design solutions reduce UK Clothing and Textile Waste?
  • Global Artisanship and the Future of the Luxury Fashion Market.
  • Utilising Landmark Definition to improve Body Surface Measuring Accuracy and Garment Fit for Mature Women.
  • Evaluation and Development of Compression Garments for Sportswear using 3D Body Scanning and CAD Technology.
  • Apparel Product Marketing Communications in M-Retail and Consumer.
  • Development of a Concept for a Database System for Machine and Seam sew-ability.
  • Development of Smart Textiles to Neutralise non-ionising Radiation.
  • AQL-Based Sampling for Garment Inspection in Malaysian Garment Manufacturing: A Quality Assurance Framework.
  • Utilisation of 3D Body Scanning as a Research Tool for Establishing efficient Bra Fit.
  • The Potential, Performance and Behaviour of Auxetic Textile Materials for Swimwear Application.

Research

Research Interests

Key Research Areas (breakdown of three themes: Innovation, Technology & Sustainability)

  • Apparel Product Innovation and Development
  • Garment Fit Analysis
  • Anthropometrics and 3D Body Scanning Technology
  • Sizing and Size Chart Development
  • Somatotyping, Body Cathexis and Body Image Analysis
  • Social Psychology of Fashion and Trends
  • Digital Fashion Communication and Online Shopping Behaviour
  • Ethical Fashion and Sustainability

Expert reviewer for journals and publishers

Currently a reviewer for several international academic journals and advisor for external fashion and sustainability development projects.

Book Chapters

Brubacher, K., Apeagyei, P., Venkatraman, P., Tyler, D., Brownridge, A., 2018. 'Predicting Pressures Applied by Sports Compression Garments Using Virtual Fit Technology'. In Espinosa, H.G., Rowlands, D.R., Shepherd, J., Thiel, D.V. (eds.) Proceedings, Volume 2, ISEA 2018 The 12th Conference of the International Sports Engineering Association, MDPI.

Han, S.L., Henninger, C.E., Apeagyei, P., Tyler, D., 2017. 'Determining effective sustainable fashion communication strategies'. In Henninger, C.E., Alevizou, P.J., Goworek, H., Ryding, D. (eds.) Sustainability in fashion: a cradle to upcycle approach, pp. 127-150, Palgrave Macmillan.

Journal Articles

Brubacher, K., Tyler, D., Apeagyei, P., Venkatraman, P., Brownridge, A.M., 2021. 'Evaluation of the Accuracy and Practicability of Predicting Compression Garment Pressure Using Virtual Fit Technology', Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 41 (2), pp. 107-124.

De Silva, R.K.J., Rupasinghe, T.D., Apeagyei, P., 2018. 'A collaborative apparel new product development process model using virtual reality and augmented reality technologies as enablers', International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 12 (1), pp. 1-11.

Han, S.L.C., Chan, P.Y.L., Venkatraman, P., Apeagyei, P., Cassidy, T., Tyler, D.J., 2017. 'Standard vs. Upcycled Fashion Design and Production', Fashion Practice: the journal of design, creative process and the fashion industry, 9 (1), pp. 69-94.

Apeagyei, P.R., McLoughlin, J., Omidvar, L., 2013. 'Consumers and professionals perceptions of garment quality for a selection of women's vests', International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 6 (1), pp. 2-9.

APEAGYEI, P.R., 2011. 'THE IMPACT OF IMAGE ON EMERGING CONSUMERS OF FASHION', International Journal of Management Cases, 13 (4), pp. 242-251.

Apeagyei, P.R., 2010. 'Application of 3D body scanning technology to human measurement for clothing fit', International Journal of Digital Content Technology and its Applications, 4 (7).

APEAGYEI, P.R., MANDEYA, S., 2010. 'JEANS: SIZED TO FIT OR FITTED TO SIZE?', International Journal of Management Cases, 12 (2), pp. 161-176.

Apeagyei, P.R., 2008. 'Significance of body image among UK female fashion consumers: The cult of size zero, the skinny trend', International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 1 (1), pp. 3-11.

Apeagyei, P.R., Otieno, R., Tyler, D., 2007. 'Ethical practice and methodological considerations in researching body cathexis for fashion products', Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 11 (3), pp. 332-348.

Apeagyei, P.R., Otieno, R., 2007. 'Usability of pattern customising technology in the achievement and testing of fit for mass customisation', Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 11 (3), pp. 349-365.

Conference Papers

Apeagyei, P., 2024. 'Discrepancies in UK High Street Fashion Retail Sizing and Consumer judgement on Fit', Functional Textiles & Clothing (FTC) Conference, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, 31/1/2025 - 2/2/2025.

Apeagyei, P., Taylor, J., 2024. 'A learner-centred collaborative approach to teaching, learning and study skills on a taught research-based postgraduate module', Manchester Metropolitan University Learning and Teaching Conference (LEED) 2024, Manchester Metropolitan University, 12/6/2024 - 12/6/2024, in https://www.mmu.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-06/Learning%20and%20Teaching%20Conference%20Programme%20and%20Book%20of%20Abstracts%202024.pdf.

Apeagyei, P., Ryabchykova, K., 2024. 'Critical application of innovative digital technologies to analyse practical and virtual fashion provision beyond image development into introspection', International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI) Conference, College of Art & Design, EWHA Womens University, Seoul, South Korea, 22/4/2024 - 26/4/2024, in Vol.3, ISSN: 2583-875X (Online), Vol.3 (ISSN: 2583-875X (Online)).

Mbada, C., Ozaveshe, A., Niyi-Odumosu, F., Gebrye, T., Faronbi, J., Apeagyei, P., Lawoe, J., Fatoye, F., 2023. 'MSR122 Relationship Between 3-Meter Backward Walk Test and Grip Strength Test in Community-Dwelling Young-Older Adults', 11/11/2023 - 15/11/2023, in Value in Health, 26 (12 Sup), pp. S416-S416.

Apeagyei, P., Twum, A.T., 2023. 'Sustainable Procedures in Collecting Anthropometric Data: Efficacy in Remote Body Measurement of School Children for Clothing Sizing', The Textile Institute World Conference, University of Huddersfield, UK, 4/7/2023 - 6/7/2023.

Vouyouka, A., Apeagyei, P., 2023. 'Sustaining Fashion - How can Design Communication Help?', The Textile Institute World Conference, University of Huddersfield, 4/7/2023 - 6/7/2023.

Okonji, A.M., Lawal, H.O., Mbada, C.E., Odetunde, M.O., Apeagyei, P.A., Adedoyin, R.A., Lawoe, J., Fatoye, F., 2023. 'Do Breast Size and Bra Fit matter to Musculoskeletal and Psycho-social Health of Women?', World Physiotherapy Congress 2023, Dubai, UAE, 2/6/2023 - 4/6/2023.

Gebrye, T., Fatoye, F., Apeagyei, P., Mbada, C., 2023. 'The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among garment workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis', ISPOR 2023, Boston, Massachusetts, 7/5/2023 - 10/5/2023.

Arafat, B., Apeagyei, P., 2018. 'Palestinian Cultural Heritage, Symbolic Costumes and Textile Designs', The 91st Textile Institute World Conference, University of Leeds, UK, 23/7/2018 - 26/7/2018.

Linda, R., Venkatraman, P.D., Apeagyei, P., Velusamy, V., 2018. 'Investigation of natural levels of copper in fungi as protection in wearable textiles for electrically sensitive individuals', Textiles and Place 2018, Manchester, UK, 12/4/2018 - 13/4/2018, in www.textileandplace.co.uk.

Han, S.L.C., Hall, N., Apeagyei, P., Tyler, D., 2017. 'Whole Systems Thinking for Circular Economy Design Practice', 23/11/2016 - 24/11/2016, in Circular Transitions: Proceedings, pp. 349-365.

Brubacher, K., Apeagyei, P., Venkatraman, P., Tyler, D., 2017. 'Design of Sports Compression Garments: Exploring the Relationship Between Pressure Distribution and Body Dimensions', 8th Asia-Pacific Congress on Sports Technology, Tel Aviv, Israel, 15/10/2017 - 19/10/2017, in http://apcstcon.com/.

De Silva, J., Apeagyei, P., Rupasinghe, T., 2017. 'Applicability of Virtual Riality and Augmented Reality Technologies in Apparel New Product Development', International Conference on Empowering Human Place and Business through Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, Manchester, 2/2017 - 2/2017.

Apeagyei, P., 2015. 'Conundrums of Fashion Retail, Virtual Fit and How We Measure up', ”. The Centre for International Research in Consumers Location and their Environments (CIRCLE), Szczecin, Poland, 12/4/2015.

Han, S., Tyler, D., Apeagyei, P., 2015. 'Upcycling as a Design Strategy for Product Lifetime Optimisation and Societal Change'.

Wren, P., Gill, S., Apeagyei, P., Hayes, S., 2014. 'Establishing a pre and post-3D Body scanning Survey process for Able-bodied UK Women Aged 55 Years+ to Determine an Appropriate Waist Position for Garment Development', 21/10/2014 - 22/10/2014, in doi:10.15221/14.143., pp. 143-154.

Apeagyei, P., Chandrasekara, S., 2014. 'Eye Tracking Fashion Retail experiences of 55+ year old Consumers', International Conference on Digital Marketing, The International Institute of Knowledge Management, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Apeagyei, P., 2012. 'Sizing up to Fit Consumers on the High Street', The Centre for International Research in Consumers Location and their Environments (CIRCLE), Universidad de Leon, Spain, in ISBN: 978-1-56592-479-6-90000.

Power, E.J., Apeagyei, P.R., Jefferson, A.M., 2011. 'Integrating 3D Scanning Data & Textile Parameters into Virtual Clothing', 2nd International Conference on Body Scanning Technologies, Lugano, Switzerland, 10/10/2011 - 13/10/2011, in ISBN: 978-303-303-1340.

Apeagyei, P., 2008. 'Body image and the Male Clothing Consumer', The International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI), RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 12/3/2008.

Apeagyei, P.R., 2007. 'The Influence on Body Image and Body Shape on Clothing Selection', Oslo, Norway.

Office Location

Room C2.35
Cavendish South
Manchester Fashion Institute
Manchester Metropolitan University
Cavendish Street
Manchester M15 6BG