Design students ‘reinvent’ Manchester Gallery

MMU and Manchester City Council have joined forces on an initiative that will boost the city’s creative economy.

The Council has invested £1 million in the redevelopment of Manchester’s Gallery of Costume, home to one of the largest collections of clothing and fashion accessories in Britain, and MMU’s MA Design students are working on a creative scheme to ‘reinvent’ the Gallery ahead of its reopening in March 2010.

Through the ‘Manchester Design LAB’, a 48-week MA programme directly connected to the design industry, students have been given a sponsored project to raise the Gallery’s profile and explore the reinterpretation of the collection.

Real-life consultancy

MMU project leader Alice Kettle explains: “The Gallery is a fantastic resource, not least from a research perspective, but much of the collection is hidden away. The students are looking at presenting ideas within Platt Hall, outside in Platt Fields, how the collection is promoted around Manchester, and also how to present a virtual presence. For our Design students, this is an ideal opportunity to provide real-life consultancy as part of their studies which ultimately boosts their employability.”

Dr Miles Lambert, Senior Manager at the Gallery of Costume, said. “We have always collaborated with MMU because it has the only graduate embroidery degree course in the country, within a very strong fashion department. From this perspective, MMU is our chosen partner.”

Work with established designers

Course director Helen Felcey commented. “The LAB provides an environment that encourages postgraduate experiment in process and material alongside business and entrepreneurship. Students get to work alongside established designers and design consultancies, pitch their ideas to industry professionals, and contribute directly to the Manchester design community.”

The Gallery of Costume, housed in the elegant surroundings of Platt Hall in Fallowfield, contains over 20,000 items, including clothes worn by men, women and children from the 17th century to the present day, from high fashion to the clogs and shawls of Lancashire weavers.

Visit MMU’s Design LAB form more information.