Fashion, gaming and tech collide at UEL
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Published
13 May 2026
Sustainable sportswear, immersive gaming experiences, circular fashion research and 3D-printed wearable design came together at HYPERLIINK, an innovative live event at the University of East London (UEL) exploring how technology and creativity are reshaping the future of fashion.
Hosted at UEL’s Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, the event brought together students, academics and industry professionals for an evening of collaboration, discussion and innovation focused on the next generation of sustainable creative practice.
Bringing industry and academia together
Organised by UEL’s Regenerative Fashion Archive, HYPERLIINK showcased work from students and collaborators across MA Fashion, Games, Film, Interior Design, Fashion Studies Top Up, Sports, Illustration and Graphic Design, and UEL’s digital fabrication lab - DfUEL, highlighting how creative disciplines are increasingly intersecting through technology, sustainability and research-led innovation.
Throughout the event, students presented projects and ideas to industry professionals, researchers and creative leaders, sparking conversations around collaboration, placements, future partnerships and the growing opportunities emerging across fashion and technology.
A panel discussion, led by Director of the Regenerative Fashion Archive and MA/MFA Course Leader Wes Hartwell, explored the increasingly important relationship between academia, innovation and industry. Joining the discussion were Andrew Lam General Manager of Chinese sportswear brand TLSS and Founder of UK brand building company Touch London, Nicholas Betts from AI waste minimisation fashion technology startup ZERØTEC, UEL Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Manager Jane Timlin-Black, and UEL fashion placements lead and senior lecturer Leslie Robertson.
Together, the panel discussed Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and how universities and businesses can work more closely to drive sustainable innovation, support emerging talent and create stronger pathways between education and industry. Mr Lam also reflected on TLSS’ recent collaboration with UEL students, which saw designers and creatives work on projects spanning sportswear, digital environments and sustainability-focused concepts.
Alongside students, academics and industry partners, the event welcomed senior leaders from across the University, including Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Hassan Abdalla, Director of Research and Innovation Professor Matt Bellgard, and Dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries (ACI) Dr Rosemary Stott, and heads of departments of ACI Beatrice Newman and Dekan Apajee who spent time meeting students and viewing the diverse range of projects and exhibitions on display.
Exploring sustainable innovation
From circular fashion research and immersive gaming environments to data-led design and experimental wearable technology, HYPERLIINK reflected UEL’s commitment to sustainability, interdisciplinary learning and industry-connected creative practice.
Wes Hartwell said,
HYPERLIINK demonstrated the value of bringing academia, industry and emerging creative talent into the same space to address some of the biggest challenges facing the fashion sector.
“What was particularly exciting was seeing students engaging directly with industry partners and presenting work that responds to real conversations around sustainability, technology, materials innovation and interdisciplinary practice. These collaborations are essential in helping shape a more responsible, future-focused fashion industry while also creating meaningful practice-based pathways between education, research and employment.”
Student projects in focus
Among the projects showcased at the event was an immersive virtual experience developed through UEL’s Games cohort led by Patrick Girard Quinnell in collaboration with TLSS. Work by BA Hons Game Design student Pedro Mandelli inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals explored how gaming technology can intersect with fashion, sustainability and live creative experiences.
Pedro said, “The project brings together sports, fashion and gaming in one experience, with players wearing designs created by UEL fashion students inside the virtual environment. Working with TLSS has shown how game design can move beyond the screen and become part of live creative experiences.
“Being able to collaborate with a global brand and showcase the work at HYPERLIINK has been an amazing opportunity. Events like this allow us to connect directly with industry and see how our ideas can translate into real-world projects and future careers.”
MA Fashion student Sahanya Siribaddana also presented work developed through UEL’s collaboration with TLSS, including a women’s football kit and matching shin guards created as part of a live industry brief with the Chinese sportswear brand.
She said, “One of the main reasons I chose UEL was the opportunity to experiment creatively, and projects like this have really pushed that further. I’ve been able to explore processes including 3D printing and sublimation printing, while working with different materials and developing new technical skills.
“Designing for a live brief with TLSS and presenting the work directly to the brand was an incredible experience. HYPERLIINK has been a great opportunity to connect with industry professionals and see how the ideas we develop at UEL can translate into real opportunities within the fashion industry.”