More than 20 second year BA (Hons) Fashion students are being challenged to take their designs from concept to manufacture as part of an industry collaboration with luxury shopping destination Multrees Walk.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural project, the collaboration is set to be even more ambitious this year, with the design element at its heart. Students will be challenged to create a six-outfit collection for Spring/Summer 2027, that is both commercially aware and fashion-forward. Their strongest shirt and trouser co-ord will then be developed through to final manufacture.
Visiting luxury retailers
To launch this year’s programme, the students were invited to Multrees Walk to meet the mentors and retailers involved in the programme. Their visit began with a briefing at Genesis Studios, and they then visited Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton, Omega and Strathberry, hearing from staff at each of the retailers and taking a closer look at the collections. As part of their academic journey, students will have access to experts in marketing, buying and design, and will learn about brand positioning, target audiences and pricing.
The project will culminate in a stylish student exhibition at Genesis Studios, showcasing a selection of the students’ final designs and providing them with an opportunity to present their work within a professional retail setting.
Programme Director, BA (Hons) Fashion, Professor Mal James, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our collaboration with Multrees Walk and to be able to offer our new cohort of students this invaluable professional insight into the different disciplines that sit behind some of the world’s leading fashion businesses. Last year we saw just how much the students benefitted from the experience and are thrilled to be able to offer this year’s class a more ambitious and enhanced project.”
Third year student Megan Atkinson took part in last year’s programme and her final design “Inscribed in Tartan” was selected as the standout piece at the 2025/2026 showcase exhibition.
She said: “Having access throughout our course to some of the world’s best-known luxury brands was truly amazing. The experience gave us a better understanding into the industry as a business, and how fashion works from a commercial perspective. It was a fantastic opportunity to develop our ideas and of course to see our designs come to life in the end of term exhibition.”
Talent on show
Centre Manager at Multrees Walk, Leigh Aitchison, said her team had been "blown away" by the talent and creativity of last year's participating students, and added: "This year we want to build on that success even further. We are delighted to provide the students with the opportunity to experience professional mentorship and expertise from a range of global luxury brands.”
The programme will run throughout the academic year, with students receiving mentoring and industry engagement throughout, before the chosen final designs are presented at the Genesis Studios Edinburgh Showcase Exhibition.
