FAQs

These are our frequently asked questions. If you cannot find your answer below or elsewhere on this website, feel free to contact us directly.

What is BFTT?

BFTT stands for the Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology Partnership. This is a five year project, led by University of the Arts London, in partnership with UK universities, research institutions, companies and trade organisations. BFTT is working across seven challenges, including a dedicated programme in support to fashion, textiles and technology small and medium enterprises (FTT SMEs) across the UK.

BFTT is part of the Creative Industries Clusters Programme, which is being funded by the Industrial Strategy and delivered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

What are the Creative Clusters?

There are nine Creative Clusters across the UK.

• Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology (BFTT) in London (Stratford), Cambridge, Leeds and Loughborough
• InGAME: Innovation for Games and Media Enterprise in Dundee
• Creative Informatics in Edinburgh
• Future Screens NI in Belfast
• XR Stories: Innovations in screen storytelling in the age of interactivity and immersion in York
• Future Fashion Factory in Leeds
• Creative R+D in Bristol and Bath
• Clwstwr Creadigol in Cardiff
• StoryFutures: Gateway Cluster Partnership for Audiovisual Digital Creativity in Surrey

A Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) is also part of Creative Clusters programme.

What is R&D?

Research and Development (R&D, in brief) refers to innovative activities undertaken by corporations or governments in developing new services or products, or improving existing services or products. R&D allows firms to gain a competitive advantage by performing in some way that their rivals cannot easily replicate, and it often leads to a new type of product or service.

SMEs… what are they?

For a company to fall in the Small and medium sized enterprises category (SMEs, in short), it must meet two out of the following three criteria, i.e. it has a turnover of less than £25m, it has fewer than 250 employees or it has gross assets of less than £12.5m. There are approximately 59,000 SMEs in the UK fashion industry, which make up 99.7% of the sector (source: Office for National Statistics, 2018).

How can I get involved?

There are many ways to get involved in the Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology Partnership. Firstly, if you are an SME in the fashion, textiles and technology sector, you might be eligible for funding under our SME Support Programme. You can also join our network of partners in meetings, talks or workshops across the UK. You can also keep yourself informed on our most recent News or LinkedIn page.

Can I get in touch with you?

Get in touch with us to access our pool of experts in fashion, textiles and technology.