introducing: dugdale academy
as the new academic year begins, we introduce dugdale academy, a dedicated educational initiative supporting students, graduates and emerging designers, alongside a nationwide university roadshow in partnership with graduate fashion foundation.
For 130 years, Dugdale Bros. & Co. has been part of Huddersfield's rich cloth-making tradition, working alongside generations of skilled craftspeople and manufacturers. Our collections are still designed in-house and manufactured within ten miles of our historic Huddersfield headquarters, drawing upon knowledge and expertise developed and passed down over more than a century.
We believe that knowledge is something to be shared. Understanding the origins of cloth, the processes involved in its manufacture and the characteristics that make one fabric different from another is fundamental to thoughtful, considered design.
With this in mind, we're pleased to introduce Dugdale Academy, a new educational initiative dedicated to supporting the next generation of fashion talent and encouraging a deeper understanding of the materials, people and processes behind British cloth.
Launched at the beginning of the academic year, Dugdale Academy brings together educational resources, industry insight, emerging talent and opportunities for students, both online and through direct engagement with universities across the UK.
Read on to discover more about the initiative.
A look inside British Wool’s sorting depot.
Huntsman cutter Freni Perry, at work on Savile Row.
university roadshow
One of the first major initiatives under the Dugdale Academy banner is a nationwide university roadshow, organised in partnership with the Graduate Fashion Foundation.
Between October and December 2026, we'll be visiting 30 universities across the UK, meeting students and educators to share an insight into the heritage of British cloth, the intricacies of its manufacture and the skills involved in creating quality textiles.
Through presentations, educational resources, cloth donations and open discussions, we hope to encourage students to think more deeply about the materials they choose to work with, and how those decisions influence the garments they create.
From the properties of different fibres to the relationship between weave, weight, handle and performance, the sessions will explore how an understanding of cloth can inform and enhance the creative process.
It's also an opportunity to introduce students to the people and places behind the industry, connecting contemporary fashion education with the generations of knowledge and craftsmanship that continue to shape British textile manufacturing.
Students at Bath Spa University, getting to know cloth.
Our Student Representative, Anna Wood, presenting to students at Bath Spa.
a growing resource for students and designers
Alongside our work with universities, Dugdale Academy will provide an expanding collection of educational content, available to students, graduates and anyone interested in learning more about cloth.
Through films, articles, interviews and social content, we'll explore the journey from raw fibre to finished fabric, taking a closer look at wool and other natural fibres, spinning, weaving, finishing and the many factors that influence how a cloth looks, feels and performs.
Here on the 1896 Journal is where we will bring these resources together, alongside industry interviews and features exploring the relationship between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.
We've also launched a new Instagram channel, @dugdale_academy, where we'll share educational insights, news from the roadshow and opportunities for students to engage with our work.
Award winning graduate showcase by Ennis Finnerty Mackay, featuring cloth by Dugdale Bros. & Co.
Ennis Finnerty Mackay, in conversation with Rob Charnock at our first ‘Talent in Focus’ event at the Dugdale showroom.
talent in focus
An important part of Dugdale Academy is recognising and celebrating the work of emerging designers.
Our new Talent in Focus series will introduce graduates and young creatives whose work demonstrates originality, technical curiosity and a considered approach to materials.
We begin with Ennis Finnerty Mackay, whose award-winning graduate collection explores themes of addiction and inheritance through an unexpected combination of traditional woollen cloth supplied by Dugdale Bros. & Co. and latex.
We'll also be sharing stories from individuals who have established careers within the industry, including Freni Perry, a cutter at Huntsman on Savile Row, whose journey from Huddersfield into bespoke tailoring offers an insight into the opportunities that an understanding of cloth and craftsmanship can open up.
By sharing these stories, we hope to demonstrate the breadth of creative possibilities that come from working with quality materials, while giving emerging talent a platform to share their ideas and experiences.
Freni Perry, cutter at Huntsman, shares her journey from Huddersfield to Savile Row, in our exclusive interview.
looking to the future
Although Dugdale Academy is a new initiative, the principles behind it have long been part of our approach.
As an independent cloth merchant with deep roots in Huddersfield, we recognise the importance of preserving the skills and knowledge that have sustained our industry for generations. But preservation alone is not enough. For those traditions to remain relevant, they must continue to be understood, questioned, developed and reinterpreted by new generations.
Through Dugdale Academy, we hope to build meaningful connections between education and industry, encouraging young designers to engage with cloth not simply as a material, but as an integral part of their creative practice.
As Robert Charnock, Chairman of Dugdale Bros. & Co., explains:
"Great industries are sustained by great talent. Our partnership with the Graduate Fashion Foundation reflects a shared commitment to championing the next generation of designers and makers.”
This is just the beginning. Over the coming months, we'll be sharing more from our university visits, introducing new educational features and highlighting the work of talented designers who represent the future of our industry.
Follow along @dugdale_academy and explore the Dugdale Academy section of 1896 to discover more.
