New York City-based Pratt Institute is to wind down its Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator sustainability and technology research programme after five years.
The BF+DA brought together entrepreneurs, industry professionals and innovators to drive change in the fashion industry through research and technology projects.
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The programme will come to a close on 30 June, but the higher education provider did not return a request for comment from just-style when asked why it was ending.
In 2016 the BF+DA was awarded a US$486,000 grant to allow it to move ideas to market.
Over the past five years, the BF+DA has launched 37 businesses, supported 40 researchers, and welcomed over 18,000 people into the space to learn, think and act on sustainability through events and classes.
The BF+DA Production Lab has also provided apparel manufacturing to brands throughout New York City who want to integrate sustainable strategies and supply chains into their products. Its most recent initiative, the Tek-Tiles Project, focused on functional garments and experimental textiles that used technology to promote health and well-being.
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By GlobalDataPratt Institute says it plans to integrate many of the lessons learned from the BF+DA into the curriculum and student experience at Pratt.
“The BF+DA has benefited from the efforts of amazingly talented people who believe in our vision to redefine the apparel industry,” says founder and executive director, Debera Johnson. “Each has helped to build a remarkable place that will leave an indelible mark of hope for our future.
“The BF+DA has been an international beacon for ethical design and entrepreneurship and its legacy will persist. Each member of our core team, staff and community will continue to work for change in the industry. It’s been an honour to work alongside each other to build something so incredibly meaningful and I’m excited to see what happens next for each of us.”
