Shining a Light on the Next Generation of Designers | Red x Arts University Plymouth

In partnership with the BA (Hons) Textile Design and BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing students at Arts University Plymouth, we’ve set a live design brief that marks a bold new step for our award-winning EVO Pro Change Robe. For the first time ever, we’re inviting a limited-edition printed robe into our product range — and we’re working with up-and-coming design talent to bring it to life.

This collaboration is all about spotlighting the creativity emerging from Britain's Ocean City, Plymouth, set within our home county of Devon, while encouraging the next generation of designers to push boundaries and think differently. We’ve asked students to develop an exclusive repeat pattern inspired by Life’s Better by the Water, something we feel passionately about and believe resonates with our community.

Emma Gribble, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Textile Design at Arts University Plymouth, said:

“This was a brilliant opportunity for students across BA (Hons) Textile Design, BA (Hons) Fashion Design and BA (Hons) Interior Design and Styling to respond to a real industry brief with creative freedom and purpose. Red’s theme Life’s Better by the Water really resonated with students. It opened up ideas about community, wellbeing and the power of design to connect with people’s lives. We saw everything from bold, expressive motifs to thoughtful, tactile surfaces rooted in personal experience.

Working with a values-led brand like Red, right here in the South West, made it all the more meaningful. Projects like this give students the chance to create work with real impact and to build the confidence and connections that shape their futures.”

Our Lead Designer Cat Heraty, who joined students for a mid-project review, reflects on the experience:

“Working with the students was a real privilege. There was such a great energy in the room and an impressive level of thought behind the concepts. Seeing how each designer interpreted the Life’s Better by the Water theme through their own lens — whether through pattern, colour, or storytelling — was incredibly inspiring. We're really excited by the potential of these designs.”

The brief didn’t stop at print design alone. Once the final robe design is selected and goes into production, students across multiple disciplines — including marketing and interior design — will have the opportunity to develop launch campaigns, retail concepts, and product photography to support the robe’s release in early 2026.

Dr Kirsty Smith, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing, Arts University Plymouth:

“This was a brilliant opportunity for our BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing students to bring their campaign thinking and content creation skills into a real-world brief. From trend research to digital storytelling, they explored how a product like the Evo Pro Change Robe could connect with new audiences.

One standout was Emily Gibbings’ concept for a Surf Life Saving GB collaboration, shaped by interviews with lifeguards and a TikTok strategy that really tapped into Gen Z behaviours. Red’s mix of local identity and global reach made this an inspiring partnership.”

Charlie Green, our Head of Marketing explains how this project came about:

“This project is really exciting. Not only does it give us the opportunity to collaborate with young creatives who live and breathe design, but it also opens the door for Red to explore a completely new direction. Our robes have always been known for their technical performance and considered styling — but never before have we experimented with print. We’re excited to also see the thought and narrative behind the designs so we can bring this to life in the marketing campaign to support the robe's launch. We’re now reviewing the final submissions and will be announcing the selected design in the coming months. From what we’ve seen so far, choosing just one winner won’t be easy.”

At Red, we’re proud to invest in projects that bring real-world opportunities to creative students, and we’re equally proud to be evolving our product range in exciting new ways. The Evo Pro Change Robe has already won multiple awards — but with a fresh print, inspired by the coastlines and creativity of the South West, we think it might just reach new heights.

Stay tuned for the reveal later this year.