Staff Profile
Deputy Division Head: Fashion Business. Senior Lecturer (Fashion Business)
A fashion industry professional with wide and varied knowledge and experience. Business focus combined with a love for fashion and the people in it.
Healthy, well balanced lifestyle which includes work, lots of activity (yoga, running, swimming) and time for family and friends.
Academic and professional qualifications
Masters by Research. Manchester Metropolitan University March 2021
Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Merit) Manchester Metropolitan University 2014
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Preston Polytechnic1982 Fashion
Noelle is a Senior Lecturer teaching across all levels from Foundation to Post Graduate. She is Programme Leader for MSC in Luxury Fashion Management and Pathway Leader for the Fashion Foundation programme. Specialising in sustainability, product development and fashion business she inspires students to produce excellent work by working collaboratively and building a relationship of trust.
Noelle’s research specialism is sustainability in the fashion industry, the pace of fashion consumption and the behaviour of fast fashion brands and consumers. She is also interested in developing specific skills and teaching format required to increase confidence and outputs of Foundation students. She is an active researcher and has presented at IFFTI and The Foundation Network conferences.
Previous Employment
Noelle worked within the fashion industry for more than 25 years in different roles and a variety of businesses. She was a Senior Buyer for a high street chain, managing a team and product category. Travelling extensively to build relationships source, negotiate and buy from suppliers in India, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Turkey.
Other roles included Head of Operations, Licensing Manager, Senior Account Manager and Designer.
Undergraduate teaching
Noelle’s teaching and supervision is underpinned by industry practice and current fashion and business trends, applying her extensive knowledge to the following programmes:-
• BA Hons Fashion Buying and Merchandising
• BA Hons Fashion Business and Management
• BA Fashion Promotion
• Fashion Foundation
Postgraduate teaching
- MSc Fashion Buying and Merchandising Management
- MSc Luxury Fashion management
Postgraduate research supervision
Completed: Supervised students on the Fashion Buying and Merchandising Management PGt.
Projects and initiatives
Outreach projects: September 2022. Workshop for Re-Think Fashion. Title: 'Small challenges can lead to big changes.' A discussion around how consumers can consume fashion more sustainably.
https://foxloweartscentre.org.uk/events/re-think-fashion/
Media appearances or involvement
Noelle regularly contributes to discussions about fashion and sustainability.
Appearances include BBC World Service – Business Matters (2020), Radio 4 – You and Yours (2019), Radio 5 Live (2019), BBC Radio Scotland (2019).
Prizes and awards
Nominated for Student Support initiative of the Year 2022. A University wide peer recognition incentive recognising both individual and team excellence.
'Colleagues work exceptionally hard to enhance the student experience, supporting our students to get the best out of their university experience and achieve their full potential through outstanding personalised support.
This award recognises an excellent contribution to supporting our students at Manchester Met through the provision of student-focused support, which goes above and beyond expectations . Nominees will have shown a commitment to advancing and positively influencing the student experience through an initiative that supports students personally, professionally or academically.'
Membership of professional associations
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Research
Research Interests
Research interests include Fashion Business, Sustainability, Fashion Industry, Teaching and Learning.
Noelle’s research specialism is on the unsustainability of the fashion industry, the pace of fashion consumption and the behaviour of fast fashion brands and consumers.
Active research project around the concept of sustainability – 6- item challenge, wearing 6 items for 6 weeks. https://labourbehindthelabel.org/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/the-six-items-challenge/
IFFTI Manchester April 2019. Developed and delivered a workshop – ‘An international perspective on the impact of image driven social media’
Academic collaborations
During her time at MMU Noelle has collaborated on a number of projects with The Pearl Academy in India, Matalan and Nordic Muse in the UK, to enhance student experience by facilitating interaction with external organisations.
Conference organisation
IFFTI Manchester April 2019. Developed and delivered a workshop – ‘An international perspective on the impact of image driven social media’
Office Location
Room C2.34
Cavendish South
Manchester Fashion Institute
Manchester Metropolitan University
Cavendish Street
Manchester M15 6BG
Office Hours
8.30am - 5.00pm Monday - Thursday.