This journal follows the development of my PhD research into smart textiles for emotional well-being. Here I share insights from my reading, experiments with textile-integrated sensors, conference experiences, and the evolving design of my prototype garments. It’s a space to trace the project’s progress and connect design, technology, and mental health.
Behind the Seams: My PhD Research Journal
You can filter the article feed by selecting one of the three categories below, or scroll down to view every article in chronological order…
The PhD Journal
Follow the research as it happens.
Behind-the-scenes updates, prototype development, conferences, laboratory work and the realities of interdisciplinary research.
Smart Textiles Explained
Understanding the technology.
Beginner-friendly articles explaining wearable technology, conductive textiles and smart clothing.
Ideas & Reflections
Where fashion meets engineering.
Longer essays exploring design philosophy, sustainability and the future of wearable technology.
Why Emotional Wellbeing Belongs in Fashion
Fashion has always influenced how we feel. This article explores why emotional wellbeing should become part of the conversation when designing the next generation of clothing.
Are Smart Garments Really Sustainable?
Can wearable technology ever truly be sustainable? This article explores the environmental challenges, design decisions and opportunities shaping the future of smart garments.
Designing My First Smart Hoodie: Where Fashion Meets Engineering
Why start with a hoodie? This article explores the thinking behind my first smart garment prototype and how fashion and engineering come together when designing wearable technology.
What Are Emotion-Aware Garments?
What are emotion-aware garments, and how could clothing one day help us better understand our physiological responses to stress? This article explores the concept, the technology behind it, and why these garments aren't already part of everyday life.
Going Back to the Beginning: Learning Engineering as a Fashion Designer
After years of feeling confident in fashion, starting electrical engineering reminded me what it feels like to be a complete beginner. This is an honest reflection on the discomfort, growth and unexpected lessons that came with learning a new discipline.
From Fashion Week to PhD: Why I Started Embedding Technology into Clothing
From presenting a living grass coat at New York Fashion Week to learning electrical engineering, this article explores how one question led me from fashion design to a PhD researching smart textiles for emotional wellbeing.