Sabine Lettmann
Sabine started teaching fashion design in 2015. Since then, she teaches diverse fashion design related subjects with an emphasis on sustainability across different fashion programmes in Germany, Denmark and the UK including BA and MA level. She also shares her work through workshops and guest lectures and has been invited to contribute to fashion programmes in the Ukraine and Greece. Sabine is a Senior Lecturer on the fashion programme at BCU who holds a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Academy (SFHEA).
With more than 20 years of experience as a freelancer in fashion design, Sabine looks back at working for her own label and other brands. Her collections were presented internationally, for example at Paris’ fashion fair "Who’s Next". As not only the place of production plays a main role for her production but also the manner is key to her philosophy, workways include integrative approaches through working with social workshops and migrants since the very beginning. Today, she focuses on designing for lease as a distribution channel and utilises her practice to educate for change through systems thinking.
Sabine has also worked for the Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg Ballet and various film productions. She had the pleasure to work with Christian Lacroix, Swiss fashion label Akris or John Neumeier to implement historical and contemporary costume concepts.
In her work as a creative consultant, she works with SMEs to initiate a new mindset enabling industry change and designing for a regenerative, closed loop that complies with natural systems.
Current Activity
In her design practice, Sabine uses systems thinking to investigate circular design approaches as interventions to disrupt traditional linear design practices. As a consultant, she supports SMEs in developing holistic business models and design concepts informed by regenerative values.
Areas of Expertise
- Regenerative fashion design
- Fashion systems thinking and design
- Circular fashion design practice
- Responsible design education
Qualifications
- Staatlich geprüfte Diplom Modedesignerin(HAW Hamburg, Germany) 2001
- SFHEA, FHEA
Memberships
- Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce)
- SFHEA, FHEA
- Representative FACE (Fashion Academics Creating Equality)
- Member of UCRF (Union of Concerned Researchers in Fashion)
- Member of Systemic Design Association (SDA)
- Member of The British Academy ECR Network
Teaching
Sabine currently teaches on various modules across the BA (Hons) Fashion Design programme (levels 4 – 6).
Research
- Circular design strategies
- Innovative materials
- Regenerative fashion systems
- Responsible design
- Design education
Research focuses on circular systems thinking to challenge traditional design practices. Complementing nature-centred design development around regeneration through applying a STEAM lens, areas of research additionally touch upon the integration of social design possibilities and the question of how innovative materials, responsible innovation and transparency can assist accelerating systemic change.
Publications
Forthcoming:
- Lettmann, S. (2026) Designing Circular Fashion Products and Systems. Towards Local Rhythms. London: Bloomsbury.
- Lettmann, S., Geaney, V., and S. James (2026) Revealing human-non-human relations through the lens of the more-than-human: using embodied storytelling to develop design policies. MOTH Festival of Ideas, London, UK May 13-15, 2026. London: NYU.
- Lettmann, S., Geaney, V., and S. James (2026) Unlearning design: catalysing mindset transformation at postgraduate level through place-based learning, co-creation and more-than-human perspectives. In Club of Rome, The Fifth Element, and WEC Network, eds. No Limits to Hope: Transforming Learning for Better Futures. Publisher tbc.
- Lettmann, S. (2026) Circular Box of Curiosities. In S. Idacavage, and L. Downing Peters, eds. Teaching Fashion Sustainably: Pedagogy, Perspectives, Practice. London: Bloomsbury.
Publications/ Conference Presentations:
- Lettmann, S., White, B., and Z. Hillyard (2025) Constructive Disruption 1.0: A Sensory Intervention to Explore Fashion Futuring. Apria Journal, ArtEZ Press.
- Lettmann, S. (2025) The Role of a Circular Fashion Industry in Creative Placemaking and Place Identity. 2nd Sustainable Fashion Consumption Symposium. New Haven, US October 27-28, 2025. New Haven: Yale School of Management.
- Lettmann, S. (2025) Curating a Public Collection Launch Format to Facilitate Knowledge Dissemination for Circular Fashion Practice Through Linking It with the Theory of Relational Art. Fashion Practice, 1-25, DOI: 1080/17569370.2024.2429269.
- Lettmann, S. (2024) The role of circular fashion practicein creative placemaking and place identity. In N. Bobic and F. Haghighi (eds) The Routledge Handbook of Architecture, Urban Space and Politics, Vol II: Ecology, Social Participation and Marginalities. London: Routledge.
- Lettmann, S. (2024) Closing the loop - applying systems thinking to reimagine a local fashion design practice. Public talk at Sustainable Fashion Week. Birmingham: Old Print Works.
- Lettmann, S. (2024) Sent with Love – Exploring Garment Sharing as a Creator of Emotional Bonds. APRIA Journal.
- Ræbild, U., S. Lettmann and K.M. Hasling (2024) Methodologies & Tools: Incorporating sustainability content in fashion, apparel & textiles educational curriculum through facilitating materials. In M. Charter, B. Pan and S. Black (eds) Accelerating Sustainability in the Fashion, Apparel & Textiles. London: Routledge.
- Lettmann, S. (2023) Global access, local impact. Providing online learning at MA level to reimagine the value of fashion education. De-Fashioning Education. Berlin, FR, 15-16 September 2023. Berlin: University of the Arts.
- Sung, K., R. Moalosj, A. Satheesan, C. Brosse, E. Burton, H.-W. Lim, K. Cheung, R. Debrah, S. Lettmann, and S. Gaukrodger-Cowan (2023) How to understand and teach upcycling in the context of the circular economy: Literature review and first phase of Delphi. Plate Product Lifetimes and the Environment Conference. Espoo, Finland 31 May – 2 June 2023. Espoo: Aalto University.
- Lettmann, S., Z. Hillyard and B. White (2023) Constructive disruption: A proposal for a planet-centred curriculum to enable circular systems thinking in fashion and textiles education. International Journal of Sustainable Fashion & Textiles, 2(1), DOI:1386/sft_00021_1.
- Lettmann, S. (2022) The approach to circular fashion design: An exploration of designing for otherways[project]. International Journal of Sustainable Fashion & Textiles, 1(2), DOI: 10.1386/sft_0011_1.
- White, B., S. Lettmann and Z. Hillyard (2022) Constructive Disruption - Nurturing a New Curriculum Framework. STEAMhouse Conference. Birmingham, UK, 18-20 October 2022. Birmingham: Birmingham City University.
- White, B., S. Lettmann and Z. Hillyard (2022) Gracilaria Vericosa and Purple Sea Moss: a STEAM partnership exploring the potential of ocean waste streams for circular design. Futurescan 5 conference. Leeds, UK, 7 - 8 September 2022. Leeds: University of Leeds.
- Lettmann, S. (2022) Walking Distance – Fashion on a Different Route. Hamburg: Creative Consulting.
- Lettmann, S. and P. Schmoeckel (2022) From Global Problem to Local Solution – How a Future Directed Circular Economy Can Foster Social Change. In V. Pal (ed) Social and Cultural Aspects of the Circular Economy. London: Routledge.
- Lettmann, S. (2021) Jil Sander 1990-2000: From Simplicity to the Queen of Less. London: Bloomsbury. DOI: 10.5040/9781350934641.007.
- Lettmann, S., B. White, and Z. Hillyard (2021) Constructive Disruption. Responsible Fashion Conference. Antwerp, BE, 20-22 October 2021. Antwerp: University of Antwerp.
- Lettmann, S. and C.R. Lukas, (2021) Between Dream and Reality - Developing Products and Systems Through Design Thinking. The Multilogue of Fashion. Paris, FR, 1-2 October 2021. Paris: American University of Paris.
- Lettmann, S. and K. Nutton (2021) Weaving the Fashion Future. Learning and Teaching Conference, Birmingham, UK, 15-16 July 2021. Birmingham: Birmingham City University.
- Lettmann, S. (2021) Let’s Play Fashion – The Transformation to Circular Business Values Using the Circular Design Matrix. 23rd Intern. Conference Sustainable Innovation 2021. London, UK, 15-16 March 2021. London: University for the Creative Arts.
- Lettmann, S. and P. Schmoeckel (2020) From Global Problem to Local Solution – How a Future Directed Circular Economy Can Foster Social Change. Social and Cultural Aspects of Circular Economy Workshop. Helsinki, FI, 19-20 November 2020. Helsinki: University of Helsinki.
- Lettmann, S., B. White, and Z. Hillyard (2020) Re-imagining the Landscape of Future Living and Learning Through Bio-material Exploration. The RCE European Meeting 2020. Leicester, UK, 24-25 November. Leicester: De Montfort University.
- Lettmann, S. (2020) otherways[project] - Circular Design Concept as an Education Platform for Consumers. SAT in the Circular Economy Symposium. Huddersfield, UK, 7-9 September 2020. Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield.
- Lettmann, S. (2020) otherways[project] - Circular Design Concept as an Education Platform for Consumers. SAT in the Circular Economy Symposium. Huddersfield, UK, 7-9 September 2020. Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield.
- Lettmann, S. (2020) The Relevance of a New Presentation Format for the Transition Towards a Circular Fashion Industry. Costume Culture Conference (ITCCC): Fashion Marketing and Economy. Seoul, KR, 4 July 2020. Seoul: Hanyang University.
- Lettmann, S., B. White, and Z. Hillyard (2020) MAT_er.LAB, Interdisciplinary Playground Where Science Means Personal Growth. Journal of Textile Science and Fashion Technology, 5(2), DOI: 10.33552/JTSFT.2020.05.000608.
- Lettmann, S. (2019) Facing Fashion Industry - Why Circular Design Has to Become a BA Fashion Programme and Creativity Alone Is Not Enough. Journal of Textile Science and Fashion Technology, 3(5), DOI: 10.33552/JTSFT.2019.03.000572.
- Lettmann, S. (2018) The Appearance of Fashion Influencers. GRUR Gewerblicher Rechtsschutz und Urheberrecht (12) 2018, 1206-1211.
Exhibitions:
- Lettmann, S., Hillyard, Z. and B. White (2024) Constructive Disruption 1.0: a Sensory Intervention to Explore Fashion Futuring. Exhibition Dialogical Bodies Conference. Borås, SE, 19-20 April 2024. Borås: The Swedish School of Textiles.
- Lettmann, S. Zoe Hillyard and Beth White (2023) Constructive Disruption: Nature as inspiration and partner, source and aim., exhibition co-curation at Parkside Gallery, Birmingham, UK.
- Lettmann, S. (2023) Sent with Love, exhibition participation at Plate Product Lifetimes and the Environment Conference. Espoo, Finland 31 May – 2 Jun 2023 Espoo: Aalto University, FI.
- Lettmann, S. (2022) Sent with Love, Craft Sustained exhibition participation at The Hub, Jul – Nov, Sleaford, UK.
- Lettmann, S. (2020). Walking Distance - Fashion On a Different Route, exhibition curation at Centrala, Feb, Birmingham, UK.
Talks:
- Lettmann, S. (2025) Place Identity and Creative Placemaking - the potential of circular fashion practices. Old Printworks, Sustainable Fashion Week, Birmingham, UK.
- Lettmann, S. (2024) Closing the Loop - Applying Systems Thinking to Reimagine a Local Fashion Design Practice. Old Printworks, Sustainable Fashion Week, Birmingham, UK.
- Lettmann, S. (2024) Fashion out of sync – how to reimagine fashion practice through the lens of systems thinking. Public Talk at International Upcycling Festival. Leicester: LCB Depot.
- Lettmann, S. (2019) otherways[project]. Sustainability through Cross Border Circular Economy. Erasmus+ Project, Gothenborg, SE, 9 September 2019.
- Lettmann, S. (2018) Beyond Aesthetics. Keynote, SH:IFT student conference launch. Birmingham, UK, 20 November 2018. Birmingham: Birmingham City University.
- Lettmann, S. (2018) The Appearance of Fashion Influencers, GRUR Annual Conference, German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property. Berlin, GER, 28 September 2018.
Work With Industry
Sabine co-developed the Knowledge Transfer Partnership project ‘To minimise the carbon footprint of the manufacture and distribution of workwear through introduction of new fabrics that can be recycled and reused in the circular economy’, a collaboration with Beeswift Ltd.
Funded by Innovate UK, the projected started in January 2025 and ended in December 2026. Sabine took on the role as Academic Supervisor to support the KTP project with her expertise in systems thinking and circular design.