A lecture series at CLOTH Fiber Workshop focusing on a selection of remarkable designers, makers and ultimately influencers in the world of textiles since the turn of the 20th century through current day. The stories of these designers and their work illustrate the impact of the political and global atmospheres on the textile and fashion industries through the decades. We become aware of a continuum of inter-related developments and innovations playing out over time, while celebrating the critical role of textiles in countless facets of life. The final lecture of the series takes a look at how fashion has embraced new technologies through the wearable art of Japanese designer Issey Miyake and Dutch designer Iris van Herpen.