India – Fashion and Textiles – Institution capacity building - UKIERI
In 2015-2016, Edinburgh College’s Creative Industries team embarked on a funded project with the Government Women’s Polytechnic College (GWPC) for the Bhopal region, India, to develop key skills in the fashion and textiles industries in the UK and India. The project was funded by the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) Strand 3 Skills Development fund.
The Project STITCH (Scottish Textiles, Indian Textiles Collaborative Hub) was undertaken by Edinburgh College and GWPC Bhopal to develop curriculum materials and training collaboratively, and to mutually explore business opportunities for the 21st Century.
The Collaborative Hub was set up to position textile techniques training, sustainable ethics, and contemporary digital training tools in a supportive and mutually rewarding environment, accessible to both colleges’ wider communities. Work looked to expand and enhance the Textile and Fashion Curriculum through the training of staff and students by UK and Indian experts (from both Craft and Fashion).
Focus in India was given to Zardouzi/Zari Embroidery, Hand Block Printing, and Folk Painting styles, including Warli, Gond, and Bheel. In Scotland, creative textile and fashion design processes, new and traditional materials and techniques such as Digital Printing, Harris Tweed and Cashmere.
Staff and student exchange programmes took place, including visits to Bhopal from Edinburgh and from Edinburgh to Bhopal.
