Mr Matthew Tennant

My educational practice place strong emphasis on developing; research, drawing, design, cutting, making,  I have also introduced design-led course content with digital outcomes on Level 4 at Kingston University and, together with colleagues, digital driven fashion collection outcomes on Level 6. I am keen that students are able to access quality and easy-to-use digital resources that they can re-visit from an early stage in their educational careers.

As part of my ongoing interest in improving student understanding advances in design in the fashion industry I have developed an online-accessible Photoshop for education and support package. This resource is available for students to return to in order reinforce their learning. I am keen to create digital educational formats in addition to traditional analogue, to support and enforce the face to face  student learning experience.

I am currently researching GHG emissions associated with fashion production and manufacture  and how through LCA benchmarking and sustainable sourcing start-ups can minimise their environmental impact.

I am keen to develop relationships with business and during my time at Kingston University I have worked with external companies to support the student experience. Over the last 3 years we have developed relationships with industry partners to help produce print samples for L4 students.

I was able to obtain fabric sponsorship for level 6 from Paramo who are at the forefront of developing clothing and textiles which have the minimum impact upon the environment.

During a career of over 20 years working as a partner in an international customer facing design business I have worked in multiple market sectors including: Couture, Ready to Wear, Bridge, Sportswear, Athleisure and Jeans. I have consulted for, and supplied, companies as diverse as Lululemon, MCM, The Gap, Anthropologie, Christian Lacroix and Hussein Chalayan.

I have worked directly with clients in markets in the UK, Italy, France, New York, the West Coast of America and Canada, and have been supported by agents in Brazil, Italy and the US. I have taken responsibility for the designing, organising, managing, marketing and presentation of international trade show stands for business development and export, in addition to managing and undertaking regular international sales and consultation trips. The business has also supported clients with catwalk samples and bespoke production pieces.

I bring significant design experience to my teaching, as well as a long familiarity with working in design collaborations, design technology, sales and marketing, with experience of trade exhibitions, and skills in effective team organisation and national and international project management.