De Montfort university

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De Montfort University originated in the Leicester School of Art, founded in 1870. A Technical School followed in 1882. The aim of both schools was to provide skilled workers for local industry. In 1897 the School was taken over by the Town Council of the County Borough of Leicester and renamed the Leicester Municipal Technical and Art School.

The Schools went through various changes of name and mergers before amalgamating to become the City of Leicester Polytechnic in 1969. In 1992 this became De Montfort University.

Teaching in the fields of fashion and textiles has been of importance to De Montfort University since its foundation as the Leicester School of Art. The curriculum has always involved teaching of both design and practical techniques aimed at supporting the local textiles and garment manufacturing industries. In 1900, for example, the Leicester Municipal Technical and Art School offered classes in Boot and Shoe Manufacturing including pattern cutting, sewing, making and finishing, and a Hosiery Trade course which taught framework knitting and gave a grounding in the science behind the trade such as machine construction, dyeing and chemistry. Dressmaking, embroidery, wool dyeing and leather dyeing were also offered as separate classes. Students could enrol on 2 year courses on leaving school, or could attend evening classes to brush up their skills and improve their employment prospects.

By 1950 the Leicester College of Art included a School of Dress Design and a School of Corsetry. Students learned design, cutting-out, modelling and making up of garments by trade methods, fabric design both knitted and printed, embroidery, millinery, dressmaking, underwear and outerwear, tailoring and hand loom weaving. The Leicester College of Technology still incorporated a School of Boot and Shoe Manufacture and a School of Textiles, expanded to include degree level courses for those wishing to become managers within the industry and a course on shoe design.

The Hosiery and Allied Trades Research Association (HATRA) was based at Thorneywood House, Nottingham. It was founded in July 1949 to support the hosiery section of the textile industry by conducting and publishing relevant research. The Association ran a research programme based on problems suggested by the hosiery industry, ran a testing and faults investigation service, managed a Library and Information Service, and sent representatives to Textile Institute committees. When the HATRA library was transferred to Leicester Polytechnic in 1992 it was described as "the best collection of information on knitted garment production in the world".