Director of Future Denim Lab in London

The opportunity

Shape the future of denim through radical innovation and sustainable design. Central Saint Martins, in partnership with Trendy International Group, is launching the Future Denim Lab in 2025—a bold new research and knowledge exchange initiative at the intersection of fashion, design, and climate action. We’re seeking a visionary Creative Director to lead its development, build an outstanding team, and steer the Lab’s direction over the next five years—and beyond.

This is your chance to deliver pioneering research, knowledge exchange and real-world impact in regenerative and circular fashion practice. You\'ll secure significant external funding, lead international engagement, and ensure the Lab’s work influences industry, academia, and the wider public. From shaping curriculum contributions across M School courses to managing the annual Miss Sixty Future Denim Prizes, this role places you at the centre of innovation, sustainability, and design education.

About you

You’re a bold thinker and active practitioner in sustainable fashion or textiles, with a strong research profile and experience leading academic or professional teams. You hold a PhD and bring expertise in shaping and delivering ambitious research agendas.

You’re confident managing people and projects, securing funding, and fostering meaningful collaboration across academia and industry. You communicate complex ideas with clarity, influence diverse audiences, and champion equity, inclusion, and climate justice in all aspects of your work.

You’ll be excited to co-create with staff, students and partners—building a Lab that not only redefines denim but contributes meaningfully to a more regenerative future for design.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date: 31^st August 2025, 23:55.

UAL is committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn – a university where we can be ourselves and reach our full potential. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and Staff Support Networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility.