Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, in her capacity as the president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), graced the University of Huddersfield’s campus on July 7th. The occasion marked her attendance at the 92nd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC) held at the prestigious Barbara Hepworth Building.
The princess, known for her keen interest in sustainable manufacturing, addressed the conference which focused on the theme of “Sustainability of the Textile and Fashion Supply Chain – Transitioning to Zero Carbon and Zero Waste.” Her Royal Highness engaged with delegates to learn more about the strategies discussed at the conference to manage the impact of the textile and fashion supply chain.
Upon her arrival, HRH was warmly welcomed by University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan, TWIC Chairman Professor Parik Goswami, who is also the University’s Professor of Technical Textiles and director of the Technical Textiles Research Centre, and Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT.
During her visit, The Princess Royal participated in a round-table discussion on the textile industry’s “Roadmap to Net Zero” chaired by Professor Goswami. This discussion provided a platform to explore ways of achieving sustainability goals within the industry. The princess also took the opportunity to meet with final year students from the university’s textiles, fashion, and costume design courses, showcasing her support for the next generation of industry professionals. Furthermore, she was given a tour of the 2023 graduate Showcase, where she witnessed the innovative and creative work of talented graduates.
“We were extremely honored and proud to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to the 92nd Textile Institute World Conference here at the University of Huddersfield,” expressed Professor Goswami. “Her interest in our industry, and in particular our commitment to improving its sustainability, is a long-standing one, and we were delighted that she attended this conference with this vital issue at its heart.”
Her Royal Highness’s visit and participation in the TIWC highlight the significance of sustainability in the textile and fashion industry. By supporting and encouraging initiatives towards zero carbon and zero waste, the princess demonstrates her commitment to promoting a more environmentally conscious approach within the sector.
The University of Huddersfield, renowned for its expertise in technical textiles and sustainable manufacturing, takes pride in hosting the Textile Institute World Conference and contributing to the global dialogue on transforming the textile and fashion supply chain into a more sustainable and responsible one.
As the conference concluded, the industry looks forward to implementing the discussed strategies and creating a positive impact on the environment while ensuring the continued growth and innovation of the textile and fashion sectors.