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The Gary Pearson Award (For Breaking Boundaries) – BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design: Sophie Ridsdale

BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design student Sophie Risdale is the recipient of this year’s The Gary Pearson Award (For Breaking Boundaries) 2026. This award is presented in memory of Gary Pearson, a student who explored and pushed boundaries, whether personal, technical, visual or conceptual. During his time studying with us, Gary was on a […]

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Sarah Thompson

Oct 22, 2025

1 min read

Lecturer – BA (Hons) Fashion

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) Fashion

 

Sarah is a part-time lecturer on the BA(Hons) Fashion course. She is also the founder of TOM-O, a sustainable fashion brand focused on circular design, upcycling, and low-waste production. Her work explores how fashion can adopt more responsible practices through creative reuse and material innovation.

She has led and contributed to various sustainability-focused projects, including a notable student initiative transforming abandoned tents from Leeds Festival into innovative fashion pieces. These hands-on projects engage our students with real-world challenges in ethical design and environmental responsibility.

TOM-O has been showcased at London Fashion Week and featured in Elle Magazine, and continues to collaborate with brands exploring forward-thinking approaches to fashion.

Sarah brings industry experience directly into the classroom, encouraging students to think critically and creatively about the future of fashion. Her practice sits at the intersection of design, sustainability, and education, contributing to ongoing conversations about how fashion can thrive more responsibly.

 

Email:

Sarah.thompson@northernart.ac.uk