Sue Chowles
Drawing upon her extensive academic career of 34 years, Associate Professor Sue Chowles has co-founded Hasou Fashion Academy with the student educational experience at its core. Sue is an experienced fashion educator; key milestone opportunities have enabled her to assist, motivate and strategically ‘shape’ fashion education. Having previously established, developed and led numerous highly successful undergraduate and postgraduate fashion practice-focused degrees across a range of high-profile institutions notably London College of Fashion MA Pathway Leader Design & Technology, the University of Brighton Course Leader BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Business Studies and Norwich University of the Arts Associate Professor in Fashion Education, Course Leader in BA (Hons) Fashion, Sue is now focusing her expertise into the much-needed provision for an emerging skills gap between education and industry.
In 2017 Sue was awarded the Associate Professor title in Fashion Education in recognition of her achievements and longstanding commitment to fostering collaboration between education and the fashion industry. In 2015 she achieved the status of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in recognition of the attainment against the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning in Higher Education. In 2013 Sue was the recipient of the Student Experience Award bestowed from Norwich University of the Arts and in 1989 she was awarded the prestigious Royal College of Art ‘Byblos’ Award for originating, designing and showcasing the most innovative fashion collection.
Throughout her academic career, Associate Professor Sue Chowles has actively established and built countless connections, partnerships and collaborations maintaining relationships with industry experts, brands, and designers ensuring the delivery of high-quality relevant programmes which enhance and enrich the professional and vocational preparation of students. In 2015 Sue was instrumental in Norwich University of the Arts successfully securing the Creative Skillset Tick accredited status which recognised the degree course she led and the provision of exceptional standards of industry-relevant training. In 2021 she was appointed CLO3D champion and key academic lead responsible for the development and embedding of industry-standard software within the curriculum.
Sue has lectured widely and has collaborated with many international fashion design schools and universities in Sri Lanka, Korea, Portugal, Hong Kong and Japan. Key roles have seen her elected as a Graduate Fashion Week University and Colleges Trustee, appointed to the Arts Thread International Education Board, Graduate Fashion Week Executive Committee, British Fashion Council Steering Committee Colleges Council and Heads of Course British Fashion Council.
External Examiner appointments include the University of Arts London, London College of Fashion, MA Fashion & Technology Womenswear and Menswear Master programmes and Surrey Institute of Art and Design BA (Hons) Innovation and Enterprise. Sue has also acted as a specialist consultant, subject expert and external panel specialist at Ravensbourne University and the University of Northampton.
Sue is fundamentally a teacher, designer, and maker, she has an exemplary record of cultivating, supporting and championing creative talent. She is passionate about encouraging and inspiring student engagement and enhancing industry awareness whilst driving innovation and successful employability through creative industry collaborations. Through nurturing valued relationships with her global alumni industry associates, she strives to bring the established and the new together inspiring the next generation of creatives.
