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Central Saint Martins x Miss Sixty

Future Denim Lab

About the partnership

Established in June 2025, the Future Denim Lab is a partnership between Central Saint Martins (CSM) and Miss Sixty, led by Professor Kate Goldsworthy.

The Future Denim Lab is designed to invest in research, knowledge exchange and teaching, supporting new and experimental approaches to circular and regenerative materials and denim design in fashion. It will explore cutting-edge approaches to recycling, recovery, and reuse, integrating biotechnology and advanced manufacturing to transform the lifecycle of denim.

Miss Sixty is an iconic denim brand and part of 'Trendy Group', a global leader in fashion innovation. Since 2018, 'Trendy Group' has been a collaborative partner of CSM and this new collaboration sets a benchmark for fashion education and material research.

The partnership with Miss Sixty reflects our shared values: a commitment to sustainability innovation and creative practice as a driver for positive change - helping shape a better future for the denim industry and the wider environment.

An artist with orange hair customizes faded blue jeans on a table, surrounded by pens and sketches. The scene conveys creativity and focus.
Alexandra Armata, 2021 Miss Sixty 30th Anniversary Graduate Project│ Film credit: Daniel Fliegauf

Our activity

A petri dish holds blue and black pigments, forming abstract patterns reminiscent of Earth's view from space, with a moody, artistic tone.
Recovered pigment​, Infinity Blue, Emily Gabby, 2025 MA Material Futures, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photography by: Ossi Piispanen

Research programme

Bringing together academic teams with industry partners to explore collaborative research challenges related to the themes of the Future Denim Lab.

A hand arranges a small vial of blue pigment next to a piece of woven fabric. Other laboratory glassware with liquids and a round wooden tool are lined up on a table.
Microscopy, Bacteria Sporulations​, Lab to Loom: A Bacterial Re-imagination of Denim, Lotte Plumb, 2025 MA Biodesign, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photography by: Lotte Plumb​

PhD studentship

A full-time PhD scholarship will be offered as part of the Future Denim Lab team, to lead on a specific element of the discovery research.

Close-up of the back of cream-colored jeans with a blue denim print pattern and the label
Screen-printed jeans with recovered indigo pigment​, Infinity Blue, Emily Gabby, 2025 MA Material Futures, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photography by: Ossi Piispanen

Course projects

Students will collaborate with researchers on Future Denim Lab projects, gaining invaluable experience and bringing fresh perspectives to industry challenges.

Microscopic view of blue mold colonies with white edges on a dark background. The texture appears fluffy, conveying a scientific and organic tone.
Bacterial pigment and bacterial yarn, Lab to Loom: A Bacterial Re-imagination of Denim, Lotte Plumb, 2025 MA Biodesign, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photography by: Lotte Plumb​

Student awards

The Miss Sixty Future Denim Prizes recognise outstanding student achievement in denim innovation and design. Read about the 2026 winners.

Contact the Lab

Professor Kate Goldsworthy, Director of Future Denim Lab: k.goldsworthy@csm.arts.ac.uk

Goldaneh Torkamani Azar, Partnerships Coordinator: futuredenimlab@csm.arts.ac.uk

Explore more

  • An image of a woman in white staring into the camera lens
    Image courtesy of Professor Kate Goldsworthy

    Future Denim Lab appoints Director

    Professor Kate Goldsworthy appointed Director of the Future Denim Lab.

  • Rathna Ramanathan, Head of Central Saint Martins and Pro-Vice Chancellor, UAL and Jacky Xu, Founder and CEO of Trendy Group | Photograph: Kenny Xian

    Future Denim Lab launch

    Central Saint Martins partners with Miss Sixty to pave the future for circular denim.

  • A large wall panel with a map of the world and red thread and the words 'Design Transforms Borders' and 'Where is home' and 'Territorial Empathy'
    Design Transforms at NYC with CSM Product, Ceramic and Industrial Design. Photo: Kisha Bari

    Research at CSM

    Embracing multiple perspectives to generate knowledge with impact.

  • In an art studio, a robotic arm with blue glove is spray-painting a human-shaped figure in black on to a canvas. White paint splotches are visible on the floor and a white paint bucket is just visible in the left hand corner.
    Zongyao Liu, BA Fashion Communication 2025

    M School

    Investigating radical approaches to materials, making and the construction of meaning, through fashion, textiles, jewellery and material innovation.

Central Saint Martins

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 7444

Address

1 Granary Square
King's Cross
London
N1C 4AA