On May 14th, the Leicester Made trade event took centre stage at Athena Leicester, showcasing the powerful intersection of local craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and emerging fashion talent. A key highlight of the event was an exciting collaboration between De Montfort University (DMU) BA (Hons) Fashion Textile Design students and Kornit Digital, a global leader in sustainable, on-demand textile printing.
Organised by the Leicester Fashion Week team, the catwalk show served as a dynamic celebration of the city’s rich manufacturing heritage—one that’s not only surviving but thriving by embracing technological transformation. A standout feature of the show was the unveiling of five innovative garments, designed by DMU students and digitally printed in collaboration with Kornit Digital. These pieces powerfully illustrated how creativity and technology are driving the future of fashion.
(DMU – Alanna Doyle by JoJo Iles)
(DMU Lololi Quashigah by Felicity West)
(DMU – Giselle Kandekore by Felicity West)
(DMU – Isabelle Barton by Felicity West)
(DMU – Elizabeth Osbourne by Felicity West)
Utilising fabrics printed with the Kornit Presto MAX—the most advanced roll-to-roll digital textile printing system—the student designs pushed creative boundaries. Known for its XDi-powered applications, exceptional white ink performance on dark fabrics, and an expanded colour gamut, the Presto MAX offered students access to tools typically reserved for high-end industry professionals.
Brendan Mangan, GM UK/I at Kornit Digital, commented:
“We were proud to collaborate with De Montfort University on this unique fashion presentation. The digital prints used in the show demonstrate the sustainable and limitless potential of on-demand textile printing. It’s not just about speed and flexibility—it’s about empowering young designers to experiment freely, with minimal environmental impact.”
The garments were more than just fashion statements—they were bold testaments to sustainable innovation, self-expression, and local ingenuity. This initiative is also part of a broader movement to strengthen the UK’s ethical, scalable manufacturing ecosystem.
Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd, added:
“Kornit shares our mission to empower ethical, scalable UK manufacturing, and together we’re giving designers, students, and retailers the tools to lead with purpose.”
The collaboration featured designs by Alanna Doyle, Isabelle Barton, Giselle Kandekore, Elizabeth Osborne, and Lololi Quashigah—each showcasing the creative possibilities unlocked when education, industry, and innovation work in tandem. These designers offered compelling visions of a fashion future that is sustainable, inclusive, and globally informed, yet rooted in local expertise.
Post-event, images from the catwalk were widely circulated in the press, with particular attention drawn to Elizabeth Osborne’s design, which was selected as the lead image for a Vogue Business feature, “Made in Leicester: How do you rebuild after a supply chain scandal?” published on 22 May 2025.
By weaving together local talent, global technology, and a commitment to responsible manufacturing, the Leicester Made catwalk proved that the region is not only ready to rebuild—it’s ready to lead.