Trend to Traid was a three-week industry collaboration between Foundation students in Fashion Communication and Visual Communication Design at Ravensbourne University and Traid .

The project challenged students to investigate and forecast key social, political, cultural, and environmental influences; trends which will be shaping the Spring/Summer 2026 fashion season (launching February 2026), and to translate this research into a cohesive, cross-disciplinary proposal for Traid.

The project began with a visit to Traid’s head office, giving students first-hand insight into the journey of donated clothing and the realities of circular retail. A styling masterclass introduced the principles of visual merchandising and store design, linking creativity with commercial awareness.

Students then developed and shot their own trend-led campaigns before presenting their final proposals directly to the Traid team, gaining valuable real-world experience of working with industry.

The winning team focused on Body Maximalism, a sub-genre of Playful Paradox, using the campaign to explore nostalgia, and sensorial excess through bold colour, texture, and materiality, while challenging ideas around sustainability, and self-expression in today’s political climate. The wining group members are: Joe Penny (Fashion Communication pathway), Lily Hughes, Emmi Macarthur, Arun Mellish, Tallulah Morris, and Poppy Wormold (Visual Communication Design).

The winning group will work alongside Mark Lawrence, Visual Merchandiser at Traid, to install their final fashion campaign in the Lewisham store window. Their campaign posters and styled looks will be brought to life in a professional retail setting, translating their creative vision into a live storefront display.

The window features selected images from the final fashion shoot, alongside key garments and styled looks developed as part of the project. The installation is on display from 20th –27th February.

“We want to say thank you so much to Traid, as this is an amazing experience for all of us, and we are really excited to see our ideas go into the store and come to life.” Emmi MacArthur (Store Concept Designer for the winning team)

“What I found most interesting about visiting the Traid warehouse was the process of sourcing the clothes and having to think about how I could take a jumper and use it as a skirt or use a bedsheet and turn it into padding for an outfit, and rework items that matched our trend.” Joe Penny (Stylist for the winning team)

This project was designed and led by Dannielle Phillip and Sidney Belle Turner, with valuable contributions from colleagues across the course team. Specialist teaching and creative input were provided by Matthew McGuiness, Fiona Quadri, Tiana Lea (Photography), alongside industry insight from Jo Shippen (Styling and Visual Merchandising) and Mia Maxwell (Styling and Art Direction). The project involved FE Fashion Communication pathway and FE Visual Communication Design pathway students.