Final year design student gains industry experience with sustainable denim hub LaundRE
16/10/2025
Kira Tenk, a final-year BA Design student at Goldsmiths University, recently completed an internship with UKFT member LaundRE, a sustainable denim hub dedicated to reducing waste and rethinking production.
As LaundRE’s first intern, Kira experienced the fast-paced and flexible environment of a growing business, adapting to varied tasks from assisting on the factory floor to creating fresh digital content for social media. She also contributed creative ideas to Reborn, a future LaundRE project that will add artwork to vintage and deadstock garments.
“The structure of the day was often fluid, but I found it the most engaging type of work I had experienced to date,” she said. “I assisted with production, organised denim samples, sewed panels for testing, labelled samples and helped load and unload machines. On quieter days, I worked on my own denim projects using the industrial sewing machines.”
During her time at LaundRE, Kira learned specialist techniques in denim finishing, including laser finishing technology, enzyme lightening and ozone cleaning.
“Each individual member of the team had a strength within the factory and took the time to teach me their knowledge,” she explained. “This experience has given me a newfound recognition for quality and sparked a creative desire to explore denim further.”
The internship also deepened her understanding of sustainability in fashion. “I’ve always been passionate about the environment but understanding the vast demand of the jeans industry was shocking,” she said. “LaundRE’s use of technology towards a more sustainable approach is phenomenal. It’s inspiring to see technology applied to reduce waste and save stock from landfill rather than mass produce.”
She admits one of the biggest challenges was working alongside a highly skilled team with expertise not widely taught at university. “Operating machinery and chemicals requires training, so autonomy wasn’t something I had at first. But the encouragement I received helped me grow in confidence and build lasting friendships with the team.”
Looking ahead, the experience has shaped her career direction. “I’ve always been drawn to repurposing and reworking waste textiles, but LaundRE helped me see how technology can make this more scalable,” she said. “It also highlighted how business ethics directly impact audience engagement. When I enter the job market, I want to work for a company that makes a positive impact on sustainability or ethical issues.”
Her advice to other students is to consider internships with smaller businesses. “The most valuable learning I’ve had has been with start-ups. You gain direct insight into the whole business, build your network and develop a willingness to learn and adapt. Even small gestures, like keeping busy or making colleagues a coffee, are never overlooked.”
She added: “Fashion and textiles is a vast industry. Every process is a niche in itself, from tinting and washing to sourcing and redesigning. It’s important to stay open to opportunities beyond the catwalk vision of fashion.”
LaundRe is a member of UKFT. Not yet a member?