Nine research directions have taken shape over recent years. They are Garment Digitalization, Garment Ergonomics, Clothing Protection and Comfort, Apparel Industrial Economy, Garment Economy and Chinese Fashion and Culture, Methodology of Fashion Design and Digitalization, Aesthetic Archaeology of Textiles, Environmental Art System Design and Management, and New Apparel Material Design. Each research team has professors with rich experience and achievements as its leader.
The Institute provides a wide range of expert services and collaborates with all sectors of the industry in research and consultancy activities. Some of our clients include Chaber, Toray, YKK, Firs, Hailan, Novéli, Wacoal, Swarovski, and Decathlon. The Institute incorporates its academic and information resources with the need of industries. 19 important research bases have been established on campus:
Textile and Costume Committee of Dunhuang Tu’lu’fan Society
Dunhuang Costume Research Center
Donghua - Youngor Menswear Research Center
Functional and Protective Clothing Research Center
Garment Ergonomics Research Center
Garment CAD/CAM Research Center
Fashion Design Research Center
Fashion Design Information Exchange Center
Uniform Research Institute of Fashion Institute, Donghua University
Environmental Art Research Institute of Donghua University
Donghua - Italina Decoration and Plastic Research Center
Donghua – Hainan Splendid Zhibei Li Brocade R&D and Design Center
Donghua – Menspoem Knitting R&D and Design Center
Sino – Korean Costume Exchange Research Center
Ancient Korean Costume Research Center
Swarovski - Donghua University Center for Creative Design
Donghua - De Kooning International Design Center
Donghua – IED Brand Marketing and Fashion Design Center
Sangmyung – Donghua International Cultural Creative Center
The Institute stresses innovative approaches for both applied and strategic research. We foster quality research in a wide range of areas. Important achievements have been made over the years and currently we have following research projects that are at or above the provincial or ministerial level.
- Project from China Astronauts Center – “Astronaut’s Suit Thermal Maniki”
- 863 National Project-“CAD/PDM/ERP Integration and E-business of Garment Enterprises”
- Collaborative Project with EU – “EURAS-IA-TEX Garment Digitalization”
- Canada National Research Council Project -“Developing Multi-performance Firefighter Protective Clothing Used In Shanghai Expo”
- National Social Science Funding Project – “Comprehensive Research of Dunhuang Silk and Silk Road”
- National Natural Science Funding Project – “Objective Evaluation of Property and Comfort of Air Layer under Clothing in Human Body Thermal Environment”
- Special Funding Project of Ministry of Education – “Textile and Costume Museum Construction”
- Humanity and Social Science Research Project of Ministry of Education – “Shanghai Costume History Study of the Late Qing Dynasty and Republic Period”
- New Century Excellent Talent Supporting Plan of Ministry of Education – “Art Design History and Aesthetics Study”
- Humanity and Social Science Research Project of Ministry of Education – “2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai World Expo Fashion Design and Planning”
- Key Project commissioned by Shanghai Science Committee – “Public Service Platform for Shanghai Fashion Design and Manufacturing ”
- Key Scientific Research Project of Ministry of Education – “High Performance Garment Research”
- Shanghai “Shu Guang” Program – “Research of Moisture Absorbent & Quick Drying High Performance Sportswear”
- Shanghai Rising-Star Program – “Research of Multi-function High Performance Sportswear”
- Innovative Project commissioned by Shanghai Education Committee – “Restoration Research of Ancient Minority Group Costume in Dunhuang Tu’lu’fan Pictures”
- Shanghai Union Plan Project – “Key Technology of Industrialization of Pearl Fiber”
These achievements indicate that the crossover and enhancement of disciplines through research projects has entered a new stage of internationalization and industrialization.
The institute has advanced laboratories including the following: Garment Techniques Lab, Garment and Ergonomics Lab, Clothing Performance Testing Lab, Clothing Performance Lab – Protection, Clothing Performance Lab – Comfort, Textile Design Lab, Garment CAD Research Studio, Quick Response System Research Studio, Dyeing and Weaving Techniques Lab, Digital Printing Studio, Computer Spray Painting Studio, Computer Carving Studio, Model and Environmental Art Lab, Metalwork Techniques Lab, Sculpture Techniques Lab, Hand Painting Lab, Pottery Art Techniques Lab and Ceramics Kiln, Base Making Techniques Lab, Painting Studio, Film and TV Production Studio, Personal Computer Room and Apple Computer Room, Multimedia Teaching Lab, Photography Studio, Screen Printing Studio, 3D Animation Lab, Digital Media Technology Lab, Stop-motion Animation Lab, Basic Animation Lab, Movement Seizing Lab, Figure Training Studio, Vocal Training Studio, Wardrobe and Stage Property Room, Dressing Room, Exhibition Hall, and Multi-function Hall.