Zoe Fletcher

Dr. Zoe Fletcher is a Lecturer in Design Contexts at the Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on integrating material science with design practice to enhance the value and application of purebred British wool in knitwear.

• Email: z.fletcher@mmu.ac.uk
• Office: Chatham Building, Room 6.06

Her work bridges the gap between traditional wool industry practices and contemporary design technologies, advocating for localized, heritage-driven approaches to textile production. By developing tactile and digital toolkits, she enables designers to make informed choices about breed-specific wool characteristics.

The research demonstrates how design-led methodologies can reframe wool as a differentiated product rather than a commodity, using Shima Seiki SDS-ONE APEX3 software for remote yarn communication. This contributes to sustainable fashion practices and supports the regeneration of British wool industries through designer education and tool adoption.