UEW Clothing and Textiles Students Showcase Innovation and Sustainable Fashion
Level 400 students of the Department of Clothing and Textiles Education at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) have showcased innovative fashion collections inspired by sustainability, inclusivity and entrepreneurship during a two-day exhibition and fashion show aimed at demonstrating their professional competence and industry readiness.
Organised by the Department under the Faculty of Health, Allied Sciences and Home Economics Education (FHASHEE) on the theme “Fashion Reimagined Innovation with Purpose,” the programme combined an exhibition, health education session, cooking competition and a grand fashion show. The event brought together university management, industry practitioners, municipal officials, students and members of the public.
Welcoming participants, Prof. Rosemary Quarcoo, the Head of the Department of Clothing and Textiles Education, said the event provided students with an opportunity to translate classroom learning into practical solutions while preparing them for the demands of the fashion industry. She noted that the Department remained committed to producing graduates who combine creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship to solve real world challenges.
Representing the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Ms. Farida Iddrisu, Assistant Director at the Effutu Municipal Assembly, described the programme as an important platform for developing Ghana's next generation of creative entrepreneurs.
She said fashion had evolved beyond aesthetics into a tool for innovation, cultural preservation, sustainability and economic transformation. He added that the students' exhibits demonstrated how academic training could generate practical solutions for national development. She encouraged the graduating students to embrace emerging technologies, uphold professional standards and integrate innovation with traditional craftsmanship to strengthen Ghana's fashion and textile industry.
A major highlight of the second day was the runway presentation by final year Clothing and Textiles students, who unveiled research-based collections addressing contemporary social and environmental needs.
Prof. Rosemary Quarcoo explained that the collections featured corporate wear blending indigenous and foreign fabrics, a Sustainable Future Collection produced through zero waste upcycling of post-consumer textile waste and adaptive clothing designed for persons living with arthritis to enhance comfort, mobility and dignity.
She stressed that the collections reflected the Department's emphasis on sustainability, research, innovation and social responsibility while encouraging prospective students to pursue Clothing and Textiles Education at UEW to acquire the technical and entrepreneurial competencies required for success in the global fashion industry.
The programme also featured a mental health education session led by Dr. Samuel Ofori Danquah, Lecturer at the Department of Counselling Psychology and Interim President of the UEW Alumni Association. He urged students to prioritise their mental wellbeing, explaining that sound mental health underpins creativity, sound decision making and academic success.
Dr. Danquah cautioned against unhealthy lifestyles, excessive social media use and poor financial decisions. He encouraged students to adopt healthy habits that promote resilience and productivity.
Closing the event, Dr. Medina Srem Sai, Senior Lecturer, Sport Psychologist and Academic Counsellor at the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (HPERS), commended the graduating students for their creativity and professionalism. She urged them to embrace lifelong learning, collaborate with industry and continue developing innovative and inclusive fashion solutions that address the changing needs of society.
The programme reaffirmed UEW's commitment to experiential learning and industry focused education by equipping students with the practical knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurial skills required to drive innovation in Ghana's fashion and textile sector.
