SALTAIRE took centre stage in the textile world once again with a new exhibition revealing the future of fashion.

Taking place in Salts Mill, Future Fashion Factory's exhibition saw more than 100 guests from across the fashion and textile industry learn about new materials created using technology.

The showcase marked the launch of a unique project between Yorkshire Textiles and Leeds-based mill AW Hainsworth that was supported with its first innovation funding call earlier this year.

Historic jacquard punch cards from Leeds Industrial Museum were digitised and used as the inspiration for a ‘new heritage’ cloth. A short film chronicling the journey of textile designer Rebecca Ough made its debut at the showcase, as did a variety of garments, accessories, and home interior products made using the bespoke cloth.

Among the exhibitors was WT Johnson which developed a digital tool to predict the effect of different finishes on any fabric.

Garments were produced by the School of Design at the University of Leeds, based on designs from a student project inspired by the Yorkshire Fashion Archive, creating a stunning display.

Deluxe Beds also presented an example of their newly launched layered mattress design – which is set to be developed into a modular mattress design through a project supported by Future Fashion Factory.

SizeStream also demonstrated 3D body scanning technology in the form of their new mobile app, while HD Wool talked to guests about their recent InnovateUK funding to research methods of improving the wash durability of wool fibres to extend the life of woollen products.

Exhibitions and demonstrations also focused on new data-driven design tools for fashion designers, personalising fabric to suit individual needs, traceable and transparent supply chains, and equipping tomorrow’s professionals to succeed in a changing fashion industry.

Suzy Shepherd, co-director of Future Fashion Factory, said: “The pedigree of Yorkshire’s textile industry is embedded in the region. To combine this with design, digital technology, fashion and skills makes a very powerful statement about how the sector and Future Fashion Factory’s academic partners are continuing this tradition of innovation. The support of the region’s mills and other industry partners has been phenomenal in our first year.”