Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is proud to announce its AUB Innovation Hub at the 19th edition of Fashion SVP at Olympia London from 28–29 April 2026.
A live, interactive showcase spotlighting the technologies and talent reshaping how fashion is designed, developed and produced, the AUB Innovation Hub will demonstrate how the University’s Innovation Studio acts as a catalyst for industry growth, connecting global brands with cutting-edge digital workflows and emerging creative talent.
The AUB Innovation Hub at Fashion SVP will bring together designers, technologists and researchers working at the forefront of digital fashion, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience innovation in action. From VR-led design workflows and AI-powered pattern engineering to advanced 3D development already used by global brands, the showcase highlights how creative technology is moving beyond experimentation into real-world industry application.
Central to the Hub is a high-tech Hologram Box, provided in collaboration with Vertex Global VM. The ‘Holobox’ will display 3D digital garment designs from performance brand ThruDark, allowing visitors to compare virtual prototypes directly with physical garments on mannequins to experience the seamless link between digital and physical workflows.
Penelope Norman, Programme Leader at AUB’s School of Fashion and Creative Industries Management, comments: “Fashion SVP is such an important meeting point for industry, education and innovation. It’s a great platform for us to share how Arts University Bournemouth and the AUB Innovation Studio are developing new ways of working and supporting emerging talent.”
At the heart of the AUB Innovation Hub is a dynamic working environment where visitors can engage directly with the people behind the innovation and follow the journey from concept through to production-ready development.
Featured innovators at AUB Innovation Hub
A specialist in 3D digital technologies and fashion innovation, Kyra Gibson has held roles at Burberry and now leads 3D implementation at performance brand ThruDark. Her work spans digital garment creation, body scanning and virtual prototyping, alongside research into custom-fit avatar systems.
AUB will be highlighting its Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Innovate UK and ThruDark, a collaboration focused on R&D in high-performance apparel.
Recognised by the BBC as the world’s first VR fashion designer, Holly New is founder of STUDIOOFNEW. She works across VR, CAD and physical garment development, helping brands adopt immersive design and prototyping workflows.
Co-founder of TechThread.ai, Jason Jiang is developing AI tools that convert physical garment patterns into digital workflows, bridging traditional construction with automated design systems.
At Green Threads DPP Ltd, Ross Alexander is helping reshape how the industry engages with Digital Product Passports, turning compliance into opportunity. With a strong focus on sustainability and supply chain transparency, the business delivers an end-to-end solution for textiles and apparel, supporting brands, manufacturers and distributors as they navigate international legislation while unlocking new value through smarter data, clearer traceability and more connected product journeys.
Jo Ingham and Jo Ward of Our Fashion Fix are working at the intersection of fashion, data and commercial strategy, bringing fresh clarity to how brands understand performance and profitability. Their new Margin Impact Calculator is a practical tool designed to help retailers and brands make faster, more informed decisions around pricing and margins, embedding commercial insight directly into product development and sourcing conversations.
Fashion SVP will also serve as the soft launch for the AUB Agency, debuting in Summer 2026. This new gateway will offer industry agile ways to work with AUB’s student talent through live projects, sponsored briefs, and consultancy.
The AUB Business Incubator, which provides dedicated guidance to early-stage founders, will also be showcased at the event. Visitors can meet several successful AUB alumni who are now leading their own innovative companies and will be pitching their technologies to industry leaders throughout the event.
The AUB Innovation Hub is powered by a cohort of specialists at the forefront of the digital fashion revolution. Penelope Norman leads the Innovation Studio’s industry collaboration work and connects students with live briefs and emerging technologies. She's joined by Daniel Cox, Head of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at AUB, who has spent a decade establishing the Innovation Studio as a hub for design thinking, prototyping, and industry engagement.
Event details
Date and time: 28 April 09.00–17.00, 29 April 09.00–16.30
For more information, head to our Innovation Studio or Business Incubator pages.
