6B002B - Style Disruptors 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6B002B
Module Title: Style Disruptors
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Faculty Sub Group: Fashion
Module Leader: Sally Phillips
Module Team: Emma Jones, Jennifer Whitney
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 30
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100054 - fashion
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The main aims of the module are to: 

  • Provide an opportunity for students to consolidate learning through a coherent and visible project of their own design, presenting the results of their practical and theoretical work at a professional level. 

  • Enable students to apply their skills and knowledge to a project aligned to their career interests and academic specialisms.  

  • Encourage independent learning, thinking, and engagement with the personal and professional development planning process, including time management, critical reflection, and self-marketing. 

Content Summary

Aligning with USW graduate attributes, this final-year module examines fashion’s future innovations, reshaping and challenging how the fashion industry communicates, grows, and develops. Through an inclusive approach, students select the brands and/or product categories they wish to work with post-graduation or analyse through case study research, aligning project work to individual career ambitions or potential postgraduate pathways. By analysing emerging technologies, product innovation, cultural shifts, and new academic perspectives, students explore how fashion marketing can disrupt the status quo and push the industry further. Particular attention is paid to new pathways, processes and truly disruptive approaches to the industry. The module equips learners to imagine and influence the next evolution of fashion marketing through brand and product strategy and academic critique.  

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes & Workshops 54
Formative Assessment 2
Guided Study 184
Summative Assessment 60
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse the industry and define potential future outcomes.
LO2 Develop industry led strategic outcomes to inform professional success

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Student Choice The student makes a choice as to which type of assessment they use depending on their career / educational goals. The criteria are the same whichever type of assessment the student chooses. One mark is awarded 0 9000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Student Choice

Reading List

Week 1: Introduction 

Focus: Key forces shaping fashion—technology, culture, sustainability, systems change. 

Readings: 

  1. Fletcher, K., & Tham, M. (2019). Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change – Chapters 1–3 (systems thinking and sustainability in fashion). 

  1. Niinimäki, K. (2020). Sustainable Fashion in a Circular Economy – Introduction + key case studies. 

  1. McKinsey & Company. (2023). The State of Fashion 2023: Sustainability, Technology & Market Shifts (Executive Summary). 

  1. Optional: Manzini, E. (2015). Design, When Everybody Designs: An Introduction to Design for Social Innovation – Chapter 2 (systems change). 

Week 2: Innovation & Transformation 

Focus: Innovation—AI, immersive media, circularity, new business models. 

Readings: 

  1. Piller, F. T., & Walcher, D. (2006). Toolkits for Idea Competitions: A Novel Method to Integrate Users in New Product Development (Journal Article). 

  1. McKinsey & Company (2022). The State of Fashion Technology Report – Focus on AI, digital, and immersive tech. 

  1. Murray, R. (2021). Fashion Futures: Innovation and Emerging Business Models – Chapters 2–4. 

  1. Bonus article: “The Role of AI in Fashion Design & Consumer Experience” (Vogue Business, 2023). 

Week 3: Future Consumers & Cultural Shifts 

Focus: Foresight tools, generational change, cultural signals. 

Readings: 

  1. Gopaldas, A. (2022). Consumer Insights for the Future: Trends, Behaviors, and Cultural Shifts – Chapters 1–3. 

  1. Mintel Reports: Fashion Consumers 2023–2024 (relevant extracts for your target brand). 

  1. WGSN. (Latest insights, online platform) – Trend scans: culture, lifestyle, and consumer segmentation. 

  1. Optional: Beck, U., & Beck-Gernsheim, E. (2002). Individualization: Institutionalized Individualism and Its Social and Political Consequences (contextual understanding of generational behavior). 

Week 4: Formative 

Focus: Brand vision, storytelling, future-focused strategy. 

Readings: 

  1. Aaker, D. (2014). Aaker on Branding: 20 Principles That Drive Success – Chapters 3–6 (brand vision & positioning). 

  1. Kapferer, J.-N. (2012). The New Strategic Brand Management – Chapters 5–7 (narrative and positioning). 

  1. Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design – Chapters 3–4 (design thinking applied to strategy). 

  1. Bonus: Hines, T., & Bruce, M. (2020). Fashion Marketing: Contemporary Issues – Chapter on strategic planning. 

Week 5: Creative Direction & Visual Communication 

Focus: Visual and narrative direction, campaign development. 

Readings: 

  1. McQuarrie, E. F., & Mick, D. G. (2011). Visual and Verbal Rhetoric in Advertising: An Integrative Review – Journal Article. 

  1. Evans, C. (2021). Fashion Communication: Contemporary Practice – Chapters 4–6. 

  1. WGSN: Fashion Futures Creative Labs – Selected case studies. 

  1. Optional: Lupton, E. (2014). Graphic Design and Visual Communication for Fashion – Chapter 3. 

Week 6: Professional Presentation & Reflection 

Focus: Presenting future strategies, refining narrative, reflective learning. 

Readings: 

  1. Duarte, N. (2010). Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations – Chapters 1–5 (visual storytelling). 

  1. Presentation frameworks for fashion pitches: Harvard Business Review articles on storytelling & persuasion. 

  1. Reflection & innovation: Schön, D. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner – Chapters 1–2 (applied to creative projects). 

 

Supplemental reading list 

Arnold, C (2009) Ethical Marketing and the new consumer. Wiley: Chichester, UK 

Cottrell, S. (2019) The Study Skills Handbook. 5th edn. London: Red Globe Press. 

Gladwell, M. (2001) The Tipping Point. ISBN: 0349113467 

Holland, G and Jones, R (2017). Fashion Trend Forecasting. Laurence King UK 

Kleon, A. (2014), Show Your Work, Workman Publishing Company, Inc. NY. Kleon, A. (2012), Steal Like an Artist, Workman Publishing Company, Inc. NY. 

Posner, H. (2015) Marketing Fashion. London: Laurence King 

Raymond, M. (2019) The Trend Forecaster’s Handbook Flexibound. Laurence King Publishing 

Tseëlon, E. (ed.) (2014).?Fashion and ethics. Bristol: Intellect 

Victionary, (2015) Behind Collections- Graphic Design & Promotion for Fashion Brands. Hong King, Victionary.