Stephen Russell, Director
Steve is Professor of Textile Materials and Technology in the School of Design at the University of Leeds. His main areas of expertise are in textile engineering, textile design and manufacture. In addition to academic research, he has nearly fifteen years product development and Company Director experience in the textile industry.
In November 2021, Steve became the founding Director of LITAC, and has been pivotal in bringing together world-leading research capabilities in design, science and engineering.
Suzy Shepherd, Co-Director
Suzy’s expertise is in fashion, retail and marketing. She is a founder and Director of Leeds Fashion Works and also Yorkshire Textiles Ltd. She is passionate about the imbued excellence, the quality of the products and specialist skills that have led to the utilisation of Yorkshire’s textiles by global brands. More info.
Parikshit Goswami, Co-Investigator
Parik is Professor of Technical Textiles at the University of Huddersfield. His domains of research are product development using flexible materials and application of chemistry for functionalising textiles. He manages a large profile of research concerned with fibre/polymer science, nonwovens, medical textiles, sustainable materials, nano/submicron fibres, and plasma treatment for functionalising textiles and textile chemistry. More info
Susan Postlethwaite, Co-Investigator
Susan is Professor of Fashion Technologies at Manchester Metropolitan University. She trained at Central St Martins School of Art and has taught extensively at institutions including Central St Martins, the Royal College of Art and the London College of Fashion. She has also curated a number of fashion exhibitions and worked at several well-known fashion houses.
Kevin Almond, Co-Investigator
Kevin is Lecturer in Fashion Design at the University of Leeds. He has held various appointments in the fashion industry and academia, with research interests including creative pattern cutting, clothing/fashion dichotomies, sculptural thinking in fashion, and fashion as masquerade. More info
Sue Rainton, Programme Manager
Sue joined Future Fashion Factory in January 2019 bringing a wealth of project / programme management experience to the team. She has worked variously within Local Government, Regional Agencies, the Higher Education Sector and SMEs, this background giving her a broad understanding of the needs and drives of FFF partners.
In November 2021 Sue was appointed Associate Director for LITAC, managing the operational activity for the exciting new Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour, of which Future Fashion Factory forms a central pillar representing Fashion@LITAC.
In her free time, Sue enjoys needlework, travelling and literature, with a special interest in fantasy, historical works (both fiction & non- fiction), and a fondness for the South of France.
Giorgio Grande, Communications Officer
Giorgio has a range of marketing and content writing experience in the fashion industry and beyond. In Future Fashion Factory, he is responsible for marketing communications, digital engagement, member co-ordinating and events planning. He also works as the Comms Officer for LITAC. More info.