Iain Archer

After graduating from the Royal College of Art with an MA Fashion Menswear Iain Archer originally worked in London as a designer specializing in urban street & sportswear.

On the strength of this experience he was invited to work overseas, initially starting in New Zealand, ultimately spending 25+ years working in Australasia, America, Japan, and Europe working with a series of internationally recognised brands.

With a love for narrative within design combined with a passion for cut and silhouette, Iain worked his way from designer to creative director, working closely with both product design, and brand communication to create rich brand DNA and authenticity for labels such as John Richmond, Boxfresh, Black (Australasia), Mooks (International) and Speedo (International).

In 2015 Iain returned to the UK, after spending time within education as a guest lecturer, he joined AUB as a full time Senior Lecturer in Design & Creative Cutting. He continues to work as a freelance consultant.

As a direct response to his observing the changing pace and disposable nature of the fashion industry, Iain’s research looks at the philosophy of heirloom clothing in a modern genderless context, and how timeless design combined with quality materials, skill in cut, and care in construction can generate a garments of integrity which can be handed down not only through generation, but ideally between age and genders.

Can a garment stand the test of time, generate it’s own history, become an heirloom rich in story and provenance yet remain current and relevant?

Iain is also currently engaged in taking a Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice at University of Southampton.