On 24 October, we welcomed a group of Winchester School of Art students to our Skegness site for an immersive introduction to the world of surplus military textiles. The visit marked the official launch of REMADE, a micro-project now embedded within the curriculum for Level 2 Fashion BA students, and a key milestone in the development of Operation Upcycle.

The event brought together representatives from Ramco, the Winchester School of Art, and industry partners to explore how creative education, circular solutions, and real-world materials can come together to drive innovation.

Behind the Scenes at Ramco’s Textile Processing Hub

Students were given exclusive access to Ramco’s textile processing area, where we sort and grade genuine surplus from the Ministry of Defence. During the tour, they had the opportunity to:

• Discover the scale and variety of authentic MoD textile materials

• Understand the logistical and operational journey each item takes

• Learn about the challenges and opportunities of large-scale upcycling

• Speak directly with Ramco specialists about sorting, grading, and repurposing

• Gather hands-on research, inspiration, and materials for their upcoming design briefs

Reflecting on the day, Neil Sanderson, Managing Director at Ramco, said:

“Seeing the students engage with the materials first-hand was incredibly powerful. It deepens their understanding of the textiles’ history, helps them appreciate the sustainability challenges we’re trying to solve, and shows them the real social impact this programme can create.”

The visit laid a strong foundation for the students as they prepare to begin the Tactical Remake Studio module, now informed by their first-hand experience with military surplus. Stay tuned for more updates as Operation Upcycle continues to evolve — with the next phase already well underway.