From June 22 to 25, 2025, London became more than a design capital — it became a living classroom for 11 students from the second semester of the Bachelor program Sustainable Fashion Design and Management at BSP Business and Law School.
Accompanied by Prof. Marte Hentschel and research associate Ramona Pourziaei, the study trip led students to carefully selected exhibitions, markets, and professional events where design, aesthetics, and sustainability formed a striking synergy.
Day 1 – Creative Beginnings: London Design Biennale & Makerversity
The trip began at Somerset House, home of the London Design Biennale 2025. This year’s theme, “Surface Reflections”, offered a multi-layered journey through socially and ecologically relevant design. Contributions from around the globe highlighted pressing topics — climate change, resource scarcity, and social transformation — through interactive installations, material experiments, and speculative technologies.
One of the standout experiences was our visit to Makerversity, a creative hub within Somerset House, where designer Saskia Lenaerts introduced her interdisciplinary residency program. Set in a vibrant coworking environment that brings together material innovators, start-ups, and technologists, this meeting offered students a glimpse into the dynamic networks and hands-on opportunities that await them beyond university life.
Day 2 – Design Meets Diversity: V&A Museum & Dover Street Market
Monday’s focus was on the social power of design. At the Victoria & Albert Museum, students explored the groundbreaking exhibition “Design and Disability”, gaining insights into how inclusive design dismantles barriers and opens space for agency and accessibility — from adaptive products to systemic approaches.
Later that day, the group visited the legendary Dover Street Market, one of London’s most influential concept stores. Divided into small research teams, the students analyzed how sustainability was curated, communicated, and staged across collections. From label texts to store aesthetics, they uncovered narratives and tensions between avant-garde fashion, retail storytelling, and conscious consumption. Reflections and trend discussions continued over coffee at the Rose Bakery.
Days 3 & 4 – Innovation Close-Up: Future Fabrics Expo
The highlight of the trip was the Future Fabrics Expo 2025, the world’s largest showcase of sustainable materials for fashion and textiles. It brought together manufacturers, researchers, designers, and innovators with one shared goal: transforming the textile system.
Students explored the fair in three dedicated research clusters:
- Bio-based materials
- Recycled fiber innovations
- Animal fiber & leather alternatives
Through guided assignments, they documented over 30 material qualities, engaged directly with exhibitors, and sourced swatches for the BSP’s growing material archive. At the Outdoor Pavilion, group reflection turned into deeper discussions about the challenges and impact of material innovation — strengthening both critical thinking and team spirit.
Conclusion: Learning That Inspires – Research That Moves
This London excursion was more than just a study trip — it was an immersive and transformative experience that brought sustainability, design, and innovation into direct contact.
Our students returned with a global understanding of sustainable design trends, new contacts and networks and sharpened perspectives at the intersection of creativity and responsibility We look forward to seeing how these experiences inform their next projects — and shape the future of fashion.
