As partners in the FAIR FASHION Erasmus+ project, we at the European E-Learning Institute (EUEI) are constantly inspired by how creativity, education, and innovation intersect in the fashion and textile industries.

A recent blog post by Saskia Stoker from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) offers a vivid and insightful look into one such intersection: the TextielLab in Tilburg, Netherlands. Part of the renowned TextielMuseum, this experimental space serves as a collaborative ground where designers, artists, researchers, and students push the boundaries of what textiles can be and do.

In the blog, Saskia shares her field visit experience and showcases real-world examples of sustainable and digital innovation in action. These include:

  • The TilburgsAns cloths — made from leftover warp threads, turning textile waste into high-quality, collectible products with local heritage value.

  • Smart curtains — responsive textiles that adapt to sunlight using recycled materials and embedded tech, blending functionality with environmental consciousness.

  • Product passports — digital QR codes that trace a textile’s origin, materials, and care details, creating transparency and accountability across the supply chain.

Saskia’s reflections highlight how these practices go beyond “green tweaks.” They represent a full rethinking of fashion systems — integrating design, technology, sustainability, and storytelling into every stage of the product lifecycle.

This article is a powerful reminder of why FAIR FASHION exists: to bring these types of systemic shifts into the core of education, empowering the next generation of fashion professionals to think critically and design responsibly.

📖 Read the full article here:
Rethinking Fashion Systems – Insights from the TextielLab in Tilburg
https://fairfashionproject.eu/rethinking-fashion-systems-insights-from-the-textiellab-in-tilburg/

📌 Learn more about the FAIR FASHION project: www.fairfashionproject.eu
📷 Follow @fairfashioneu on Instagram
💼 Connect on LinkedIn: FAIR FASHION Project

Written by: Kathryn O’Brien, European E-Learning Institute (EUEI)
Original article by: Saskia Stoker (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences – AUAS)