The New Landscapes Catalyst Grant Scheme is an international program led by University of Arts London’s Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (FTTI), in partnership with the British Council. Since 2021, the programme has nurtured new Research and Development (R&D) projects between 10 different countries, to support new ideas shaping the future of sustainable fashion, textiles and technology. Read about the first and second iteration of the global project.
In 2023 the British Council and UAL’s FTTI launch New Landscapes India R&D grant scheme, a three year programme supporting collaboration in sustainable fashion, textiles and technology between SME (small and medium enterprises) partners in India and the UK. The initiative aims to nurture international cooperation, share practice, and support the cultural, social, and environmental values of fashion and textiles sector in both countries. The New Landscapes India R&D programme offers six grants of up to £7,000, for collaborative projects led by designers, entrepreneurs and SMEs in the UK and India selected through an open call. Through the programme, grantees will be supported by UAL FTTI through mentoring from expert academics and FTTI staff and offered unique showcasing opportunities
We are delighted to announce the following projects as the grantees for New Landscapes, India.
Circular Design, India, Esthetica, UK, Iro Iro Zero Waste, India and The Right Project,UK
R&D Focus: to establish a strategic data collection method that taps into various geographical, social, and economic diversities across India, to source and support trusted menders, small businesses, and informal workers in local community networks. As the world looks for strategies to mitigate ecological, social, and economic crises, this project aims to address garment longevity and the volume of waste in landfill by integrating cultural practices with modern fashion consumption patterns. It aims to do so by connecting consumers with the large network of menders in India, building trust between communities and making repair more accessible.
Kaskom Crafts India, Mila Clothing, India and Project Pico, UK
R&D Focus: to improve the sustainability credentials of Project Pico’s existing range of organic cotton underwear by rethinking the design and components traditionally found in underwear. A prototype will be designed and developed using Kaskom Crafts spun desi cotton yarn, whilst keeping the product’s end of life and carbon footprint in mind. The R&D findings will be used to enable the team to establish a suitable and balanced approach towards product aesthetic, sustainable properties, functionality, durability, and financial viability of their underwear ranges in the future.
Botto, India, The Stitch Archive, UK, and Vashishtha Luxury, India
R&D Focus: to undertake R&D using biomaterials to develop sustainable embroidery embellishments that can be authentically incorporated into the luxury fashion market.
This project will develop novel processing methods using local waste, such as agricultural waste from parts of Western India, to create embellishments that are kind to the environment through exploration of biomaterials. The aim is to develop uniquely beautiful, functional, cost-effective materials, stable enough to wash or to dry-clean and viable for the luxury industry.
Conserve India, India Khadi London, UK, Khamir, India, and Where Does it Come From, UK
R&D Focus: to incorporate circular economy principles into the handcrafted fabric (khadi) sector.
This collaborative project between Conserve India, Where Does It Come From?, Khadi London and Khamir, places emphasis on leveraging production using small scale machinery, promoting environmental conservation and social uplift. The project will address the growing textile waste problem in India by recycling waste fabrics back into usable yarns and integrating them into the khadi value chain.
Centre for Pastoralism, India and Here We Are, UK
R&D Focus: to develop a traceability toolkit for the indigenous Indian and Scottish wool supply chains.
This resource will provide valuable data, insights and case studies, and a practical roadmap to building a robust Traceability Digital Application to be used in the context of Indigenous Indian communities as well as in small and large farm holding context of Scottish wool.
Post Carbon Lab, UK and True Tone Ink India
R&D Focus: to connect the expertise of both UK and India partners in the facilitation of industrial scale up for microbial dyes.
The collaboration between Post Carbon Lab and True Tone Ink Pvt Ltd represents a dynamic partnership, fostering international knowledge exchange to develop sustainable, regenerative, and environmentally sustainable colours. The project offers an alternative to carbon-intensive, non-biodegradable and hazardous synthetic dyes and processes that use high volumes of water, traditionally used in textile and fashion industry.