GCU welcomes European universities as part of sustainable fashion project

Students and staff from four European universities will tour the best sustainable businesses in Scotland this week as part of a GCU-led project to foster sustainable fashion skills across the continent.

Sustainable Fashion Employability Skills (SFES), led by GCU's Dr Lindsey Drylie Carey, involves universities in France, Portugal, and Spain, and has the backing of luxury brand Harris Tweed Hebrides and Tendam, one of Europe's largest retail groups.

GCU will host more than 40 students and staff from Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Edhec, Universidad Villanueva and Universidade de Madeiram for a week of immersive experiences, visits and workshops this week.

They also heard from Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor James Miller on arrival (pictured).

The group will tour the HQ of rental and resale firm ACS Clothing, sponsors of GCU Fashion Showcase 2022; a clothing exchange on board a Calmac Ferry between the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Harris; and the Harris Gin Distillery.

Delegates will also visit the candle manufacturer Essence of Harris, the international beauty skincare business Ishga and the Harris Tweed Hebrides mill at Shawbost.

Dr Drylie Carey, principal investigator of the SFES project, said: "We are hoping that this week will be exciting, challenging, informative and maybe even life changing for all who are taking part.

"Sustainability has been at the heart of every decision we have made for this workshop and we are delighted to be able to accompany businesses and society with this project towards a more sustainable future, one step at a time, as well as feeding into the Common Good ethos that is so precious to us at GCU."