Ruth Lawrenson

Ruth is a qualified Fashion Business Management lecturer at UCA and as a former buyer, runs a retail buying consultancy to support her professional practice working closely with designer makers, brands and retailers on product and brand development. Ruth's lecturing specialism is within luxury and retail experience and design. Ruth has a PGCert in creative education and is currently studying for her Senior Fellowship, writing a  paper on research methodologies in the creative industries.

Describe your approach to teaching
My approach to teaching is to listen and learn from my students. I am passionate about the creative industries, craftsmanship and fashion and whilst I love to impart my knowledge, I strive to nurture and inspire confidence in all my students.  I like to individually get to know my cohort so that we can creatively find our learning path together. I like to build a community of practice, encouraging peer to peer learning, discussion and collaboration.

What inspires your own work?
My work is inspired by the many crafts people and skilled creatives I work with. I am inspired by contemporary innovation to aid sustainability within fashion but am equally as happy trawling markets, galleries and nature to determine trends and patterns and to spy an opportunity. I love to travel and fuse cultures in design, advocating and promoting interdisciplinary and intercultural conversations.