University of Bolton Student Excels in UKFT’s MADE IT Internship

Elena Faccioli, now a final year student on the BA Fashion Design course at the University of Bolton from Rovigo, Italy, recently completed a transformative paid internship at Blackburn-based clothing manufacturer Cookson & Clegg, (as part of her second year of studies); thanks to the support of UKFT's MADE IT competition programme; which she won.

Elena's success story stands as a testament to the University of Bolton's commitment to providing students with real-world opportunities for excellence and employability. During her internship at Cookson & Clegg, Elena actively participated in every aspect of the garment creation process, from conceiving designs to overseeing production. Notably, the majority of the production Elena contributed to was commissioned by Community Clothing, a brand dedicated to supporting the local community through sustainable practices.

Bolton, known as a challenger university, continues to distinguish itself in various ways. The University was placed in the top 30 universities in Britain in The Guardian University Guide 2024 and in The Sunday Times Guide Good University Guide 2024, it secured an impressive 12th place for teaching quality, 15th for student experience, and 10th for social inclusion. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the University of Bolton has ranked higher than any other university in the North-West in these categories, underscoring the institution's commitment to equipping students not only with academic excellence but also with the practical skills needed for successful careers.

Elena expressed her satisfaction with the experience at Cookson & Clegg, saying: “Thanks to UKFT I had the opportunity to start my little working adventure at Cookson & Clegg. This training experience, which opened my eyes to how the fashion industry works, made me more aware of the various process steps for creating clothes from A to Z. I was lucky enough to be part of this rare reality which includes the conception of the garment, with consequent creation of a mood board and creation of a tech pack explaining all the details, design of the paper pattern, beginning of the various samples with consequent approval for the final design to be sent into production.

“Most of the production is commissioned by Community Clothing, a brand that supports the local community by making 100% of its clothes in the UK. Another plus point is the conscious use of fabrics, most of which are natural and checked.

“In fact, my goal was to deepen my knowledge in the field of sustainability.”

The MADE IT programme, which facilitated Elena's internship, is an initiative by UKFT. It has provided five university design students, including Elena from the University of Bolton, with paid internships at various UK fashion and textile businesses. The programme aims to bridge the gap between education and industry, offering students real-world experiences and fostering a deep understanding of the textile and fashion sectors.