After “Setting Sail”: Cambridge Students Present Outcomes of Sustainable Fashion Collaboration
Students at the Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University, have unveiled a collection of innovative garments created entirely from reclaimed sailing materials, marking the successful completion of this year’s Sustainable Design and Innovation module delivered in partnership with Clean Sailors and its ‘ReSail’ initiative.
Building on the success of last year’s pilot, the 2026 programme has also attracted significant media attention, with the project featured by BBC East, BBC Spotlight and BBC News, highlighting its role in rethinking waste and material use within the fashion industry.
Working with end-of-life sailcloth sourced through the ReSail platform, students were challenged to respond to the unique properties of this highly durable and unconventional textile. The material’s weight, stiffness, weathering and existing construction required a material-led design approach, pushing students to adapt their processes and embrace constraint as part of the creative outcome.
For the project, the students have created printed patchwork outerwear that incorporate original sail features such as stitching and hardware. The designs explored minimal-waste pattern cutting and multifunctionality, demonstrating how technical waste materials can be transformed into contemporary, wearable pieces while retaining elements of their original identity.
Sarah Graham, Lecturer in Fashion Design at Cambridge School of Art, said:
“Projects like this encourage students to think beyond aesthetics and engage much more deeply with the materials they are using. Sailcloth presents real constraints - it’s structured and it carries a history. This forces students to adapt, experiment and problem-solve in ways they might not otherwise encounter. It’s been exciting to see how this challenge has pushed them to develop more thoughtful, responsible and innovative approaches to design, for the second year..”
Holly Manvell, Founder of Clean Sailors, added:
“The level of creativity this year has been exceptional, but what’s equally important is the mindset behind the work. These students are learning to see value where others might see waste and to design with intention from the outset. Seeing end-of-life sails transformed into pieces that are both functional and expressive really demonstrates the potential of circular design when it’s embedded in design education.”
Students reflected on both the challenges and rewards of working with sailcloth, noting how it reshaped their approach to design and making.
“This has been my favourite module for sure.” said one of the students.
“At first I wasn’t sure about the colours but that’s the thing about end of life material, you have to work with what you’ve got and in the end it turned out OK, I’m proud of my project” said another.
The collaboration continues to demonstrate how education and industry partnerships can support more circular approaches to design. By engaging directly with real-world waste streams, students gain practical insight into designing within environmental constraints - an increasingly critical skill for the next generation of designers.
Following the success and visibility of this year’s programme, the partnership between Cambridge School of Art and Clean Sailors is expected to continue, further embedding sustainability and material innovation into design education.
ABOUT CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL OF ART
Opened in 1858 by renowned art critic and social reformer John Ruskin, Cambridge School of Art has remained at the heart of Anglia Ruskin University and creative education in the city ever since. Combining the traditions of the past with the possibilities afforded by the latest technologies, CSA nurture creativity through experimentation and risk-taking to empower the makers and creators of the future. With a history of inspiring creativity, focussing on social purpose and care for our global communities and environment. Students are encouraged to experiment, innovate and collaborate to bring about positive change – for themselves and the world around them.
ABOUT RESAIL BY CLEAN SAILORS
ReSail by Clean Sailors connects sailors with organisations and businesses that reuse end-of-life sails. Clean Sailors is a UK-based not-for-profit raising awareness of ocean sustainability and circular solutions within the marine sector.
ReSail by Clean Sailors has an online global platform connecting sailors and their spent sails with business and organisations around the world who repurpose sail material - with over 40 project partners in 13 countries around the world. The platform, which follows a successful pilot launched in the South West in 2021, allows sailors to search for and find local drop-off points and gives them the opportunity to upcycle a range of products such as sails, bags and sheets, so that once their time on the water has come to an end, they can help give them a new life and purpose.
Whilst most materials used for sailing are built to withstand some of the toughest conditions on our plant including UV light, saltwater and wind, they don’t last forever, and they all have a time limit on their initial use. Currently, for example, 97% of all sails end up in landfill and here at Clean Sailors, we are determined to bring that number down.