13 Sep George Brown College’s Fashion Exchange LIFT research program aims to transform apparel industry
Toronto, Ontario (March 2, 2018) – As a leader in fashion education, design, production and entrepreneurship, George Brown College is pleased to receive about $1 million in funding from the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, in support of establishing a new research program that will help to transform the province’s apparel industry.
The George Brown College Fashion Exchange (FX) will use the award announced today to fund an important second phase of the college’s vision for FX—the Leading through Innovation in Fashion Technologies (FX LIFT) research program. Marilyn McNeil-Morin, Director at the Fashion Exchange says, “The support provided by the Ontario College-Industry Research funding allows FX to expand research capabilities in partnership with Ontario companies to innovate further in smart textiles, wearables, textile waste recycling, new manufacturing processes and digital design.”
“Research projects like FX LIFT at George Brown College’s Fashion Exchange strengthen Ontario’s competitive edge,” says Reza Moridi, Ontario Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. “Ontario’s research funding programs are an important way we support our province’s researchers as they make exciting and innovative discoveries.”
FX LIFT will allow Canadian apparel businesses to overcome technical, systemic, design and manufacturing challenges at all stages of the product lifecycle chain. FX LIFT will enable companies to adopt digital manufacturing technologies and approaches to design, and to manufacture products locally, moving new, innovative products to market faster. Fully aligned with provincial and national sustainable economic development policies and environmental regulations, FX LIFT supports industry transformation to not only enhance fashion, apparel and textile industry innovation and competitiveness, but also reduce social and environmental impacts.
Dawn Davidson, Associate Vice President of Research and Innovation at George Brown College is confident that, “FX LIFT will drive Fashion 4.0 forward by providing the $6.2B fashion and textile sectors with the technology-enabled tools, processes and highly skilled workforce to reshore manufacturing, innovate faster, enhance productivity and competiveness, and reduce post-consumer waste. It’s George Brown’s research mission to contribute to the prosperity of Ontario and Canada by partnering with industry in applied research, which enhances our partners’ competitiveness, efficacy and sustainability.” By supporting Canadian closed-loop apparel manufacturing and technology adoption, FX LIFT will contribute directly to local, sustainable economic development in Ontario while providing a model for innovation across Canada.
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About George Brown College Research and Innovation
Enabling the Innovation Economy – Looking at industry, faculty and students as equal players in the innovation-to-market cycle, the Office of Research and Innovation at George Brown College empowers our partners to take part in economically and educationally meaningful projects and collaborations that enhance local innovation and community well-being. Matching our industry partners with faculty expertise, the Office of Research and Innovation operates as the single hub of access to highly qualified and skilled personnel, state-of-the-art facilities and funding.
About the George Brown College Fashion Exchange
George Brown College’s Fashion Exchange aims to model and foster innovative, ethical, and environmentally and socially sustainable production. FX is a vibrant hub where fashion education, design, production, entrepreneurship and engagement come together under one roof in the heart of downtown Toronto. FX brings together fashion educators, industry partners, community organizations, and fashion graduates to innovate for an increasingly sustainable, socially-conscious, and economically vibrant fashion industry.
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