The Islington area of Liverpool had become a neglected zone, bypassed by regeneration and without any clear future vision on the city’s new Strategic Investment Framework. Home to Liverpool’s historic fabric and garment trade, it was still home to a cluster of thriving niche businesses and a distinctive blend of functional industrial and historic architecture.

I worked as creative director on the project for Fabrik Studio who worked with a small group of local businesses, property owners and sympathetic small-scale developers as we developed a new place identity that could drive a more imaginative and respectful regeneration framework.

Developing ideas initially with this key group, the team widened out the conversation to engage stakeholders, neighbours, the City Council, Universities and the Knowledge Quarter Board to promote a radically different set of possibilities.

The Fabric District brand was a celebration of the area’ history and an acknowledgement of its still important commercial function and identity.