This collaboration sits at the heart of our mission to prepare students for meaningful, future‑focused careers in fashion, and this year’s work has been nothing short of inspiring.
Before beginning their collections, our students had to make a series of thoughtful and commercially grounded design decisions. They were asked to ensure their ranges felt on‑trend, fresh, and exciting for a fashion‑aware 18–25‑year‑old customer. Each student selected whether to focus on womenswear, menswear, a genderless approach, or a blend of both, and determined whether their collection would sit within Spring/Summer, Autumn/Winter, or seasonless design. They developed concepts rooted in trend relevance and market insight, identified key seasonal items, and curated innovative colour palettes aligned with their themes. Fabric choices had to balance desirability with responsibility, while branding, trims, styling, and outfitting were all considered as part of a cohesive, sustainable design narrative. Above all, every decision—from silhouette to finish—was expected to reflect a deep commitment to sustainability.
Over the course of six weeks, our students immersed themselves in the complexities of sustainable design and manufacturing systems. We asked them to interrogate how the industry can minimise or eradicate compromise to both society and the environment, all while responding to the demands of a real commercial brief. Their task was to design a six‑look capsule collection for a proposed NEXT sub‑brand—one that would sit proudly at the front of the retailer’s flagship store.
Sustainability was not an optional extra; it was the foundation. Students explored zero‑waste and subtraction cutting, innovative thinking strategies, and holistic design approaches that prioritise environmental responsibility from concept through to manufacture. Each collection required a balance of woven and jersey garments, with one jersey piece brought to life through hands‑on experimentation, draping, and sustainable finishing techniques.
In the second week of the module, our students took a trip to NEXT’s head office, where they met the design and buying teams. This visit offered invaluable insight into the realities of commercial fashion and strengthened the connection between academic learning and industry practice.
We were delighted to welcome Tom Pearce, Menswear Design Manager at NEXT, who reviewed all submissions and selected a runner‑up and overall winner.
Runner-up: Maithili Deshpande – Reworked Denim
Tom praised Maithili’s concept for its originality and artistic depth.
“Maithili's collection earned its place as runner up for this year’s NEXT Menswear Competition. The Reworked Denim collection brought together an exceptional blend of Cubism, denim, and kintsugi, creating something genuinely original and visually striking. The kimono-inspired elements added a thoughtful cultural depth that really elevated the work. Anything crafted or touched by the human hand carries a premium value for our customers, and Maithili’s approach embodied that philosophy beautifully. The craftsmanship, the concept, and the execution were all incredibly inspiring.”
Winner: Lily Jaques – NEXT Revive
Lily’s collection, created from deadstock and returned garments, was selected as the overall winner.
“Lily’s collection, NEXT Revive, stood out as the clear winner of this year’s Next Menswear Competition through a thoughtful and beautifully executed concept. By working with dead stock and old returns, she transformed overlooked materials into heirloom like pieces with real emotional resonance. The use of lace, nodding to the Victorian era, showed her love of historical detail and added a delicate, meaningful layer to the work. What impressed me most was the way she referenced a craft that simply can’t be replaced, bringing that authenticity into a modern menswear context. Her narrative was strong and compelling, supported by a nostalgic, vintage inspired colour story and a sharp instinct for fabric selection. It was an inspiring collection.”
Reflecting on the collaboration, Module / Deputy Programme Leader for Fashion Design & Technology, Dawn Eyre, shared her appreciation for the ongoing relationship with NEXT:
“Working with fashion industry experts is essential in providing a realistic approach to learning and strengthening student employability. Through the Fashion Design and Technology programme at Loughborough University, we have collaborated with NEXT for the past two years on a sustainability driven competition brief. This partnership has resulted in valuable student work placements and, looking ahead, creates strong potential pathways into future graduate programmes.”
Tom also expressed his admiration for the students’ professionalism and creativity:
"I love working with Loughborough University. Their innovative, new fashion design course is designed to develop highly employable, industry-ready graduates. The students demonstrated exceptional dedication, producing beautifully executed design work that captures current fashion trends while showcasing originality, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail. The standard of illustration, technical drawing, and portfolio presentation is consistently high, ensuring graduates leave with a competitive and professionally relevant skill set. I look forward to following the progress of these talented students as they embark on what promises to be successful careers in the fashion industry!"
The School of Design and Creative Arts extends its thanks to NEXT and Tom Pearce for their continued support and invaluable industry insight. This collaboration marks another exciting step in preparing SDCA’s Fashion Design & Technology students for impactful careers in the fashion world.