Fundamentals of Textile Fibres

Gain essential textile fibre knowledge to make more informed decisions in product development, sourcing, and sustainability across the fashion industry.

Whether you’re already working in fashion, apparel, or textiles, or looking to enter the industry, understanding textile fibres is a core skill for making commercially sound and sustainable choices.

This course provides a practical, accessible introduction to the origins, properties, and applications of natural and man-made fibres. You’ll learn how fibre characteristics directly influence the look, feel, performance, and environmental impact of finished textile products.

What does the course cover?

  • The history of clothing and textile materials and their evolution over time.
  • The main fibre types used in textile production, including natural and man-made fibres.
  • The origins, structure, and properties of key fibres and their end use.
  • How fibres are produced, processed, and transformed into finished textiles.
  • How fibre characteristics influence fabric aesthetics, durability, comfort, and performance.
  • Sustainability considerations and the environmental impact of different fibre types.

What skills will you gain?

  • Confidently identify and understand the wide range of natural and man-made fibres used across the modern textiles and apparel industry.
  • Explain exactly how raw fibre characteristics influence the look, feel, durability, and end-use suitability of a finished garment.
  • Align your product visions with material realities by selecting the right fabrics based on technical properties and commercial requirements.
  • Evaluate the environmental impacts of different fibres to make more conscious, sustainable, and responsible sourcing decisions.
  • Gain the technical vocabulary needed to communicate with authority and collaborate more effectively with suppliers and product development teams.

Who is this course for?

  • Fashion Buyers, Merchandisers, or designers who want their creative and commercial visions to align perfectly with material performance.
  • Garment Technologists & Product Developers aiming to deepen their technical material vocabulary and solve quality issues early.
  • Sourcing & Supply Chain Specialists looking to confidently navigate modern circularity and sustainability challenges.
  • Ambitious Industry Beginners with no prior textile background who want to fast-track their technical knowledge and boost their CV.

Course Lead

Dr Mark Taylor

Lecturer in Performance Clothing.

Dr Mark Taylor is a specialist in performance and protective apparel, with expertise spanning sustainability, waterproof technologies, impact protection, and technical product development. His research focuses on commercially relevant innovation, including recyclable waterproof membranes, microfibre reduction, and sustainable alternatives to water-repellent chemical treatments.

Working closely with organisations including Inditex and the European Outdoor Group, Dr Taylor combines academic research with industry application to support innovation across the apparel and outdoor sectors. His work has been recognised through the Innovative Smart Grant and the Journal of the Textile Institute Best Research Article Award (2021).

 

Course Contributor

Dr Mark Sumner

Sustainability, Sourcing and Circularity Specialist

Dr Mark Sumner is a leading specialist in textile sustainability, sourcing, supply chains, and circularity, bringing more than 15 years of international retail experience. His work focuses on sustainable innovation and the commercial realities of implementing sustainability across global fashion and textile supply networks.

Alongside his academic research, Dr Sumner collaborates with brands, industry organisations, and regulatory bodies to help shape practical and commercially viable approaches to sustainability within the sector.

Price: £189.00
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