48 hour design challenge to re-think fashion of the future

Plymouth based company, BAM Bamboo Clothing, and the University of Exeter have joined forces to address the issue of sustainability in fashion.

The Business School at the University of Exeter has global recognition for its study of Circular Economy: essentially an economy that aims to eliminate waste and encourage the continual use of resources. 

45 MBA students at the University’s Business School were set a 48 Hour Design Challenge to come up with some radical, workable solutions for BAM to integrate into their Circular Economy business strategy.

Fiona Charnley, Associate Professor of Circular Economy, says: “This design challenge is an exciting part of our MBA course, providing the students with a brief from an existing business, across all industry sectors, and a real opportunity for some of their ideas to be put into practice. We were delighted that BAM agreed to set the challenge focusing on Circular Textiles.”

BAM designs and manufactures soft and sustainable bamboo activewear. It was founded in 2006 by David Gordon, who wanted to prove that a business could be successful by doing things ‘the right way’, both environmentally and socially. As the most sustainable crop on the planet, bamboo was a fantastic starting point.

David’s aim is for the company to become impact positive and introducing circularity into the process is integral. “It is about adding value – from a people and planet perspective as much as profit,” he explains.

Having been set the brief, the students were put into nine groups to work on their ideas, followed by a Dragon’s Den presentation to a distinguished panel on the second day.

“Collaborating with Exeter University’s MBA students was a reminder of how healthy it to talk, exchange ideas and move the world forward to a better place.  This is how sustainable practice and circular economy ideas become reality,” continues David. 

“I anticipated that having 45 of the brightest young minds looking into our business would produce some exciting innovations and I wasn’t disappointed.  We now need to go away and work out which of the numerous ideas put forward to us can be integrated into the way we run our business. Watch this space…..”

For further information visit www.bambooclothing.co.uk and www.business-school.exeter.ac.uk