Dr Shaun Borstrock PhD, MA

Shaun is Head of Knowledge Exchange and Research at Ravensbourne University London. 

He is interested in design-led innovation where design comes first—not as a service to fulfill a business strategy but as a visionary path where design is considered to be an intrinsic part of decision making.

This invites a new kind of multi and trans-disciplinary collaboration from around the world. He also works as an independent consultant to luxury brands and associations around the globe. 

They have included Unity PR, Ford, Finpro, John Lewis, Harris Tweed Hebrides, The Cape Town Fashion Council, Ford, Thomas Pink, Fortnum and Mason, Asprey, Dolce Gabbana and Gucci. He is a regular Keynote speaker at events around the world as an authority on luxury branding and fashion, consumerism and brand strategies.

Research
 
Shaun’s research evaluates notions of luxury that seem far removed from today's world of excessive consumption. He explores how technology is changing the perception of the hand made in the context of how luxury brands have grown as a result of being able to supply historically hand-crafted products en-masse through technological innovation.

His practice, in collaboration with Mark Bloomfield, includes the development of Modeclix, the world’s first fully customizable 3D printed textile. Modeclix has been nominated for a numerous international 3D print awards. 

Shaun is the Editor of Luxury Studies; The In Pursuit of Luxury Journal and co author of Crafting Luxury published by Intellect books. He also hosts the In Pursuit of Luxury podcast and is a Visiting Professor in the Koppleman School of Business at Brooklyn College in New York.
 

List of publications

• Borstrock, S. 2023. Kathryn Sargent. Luxury Studies; The In Pursuit of Luxury Journal. London: Intellect.
• Borstrock, S. 2022. Editor, Luxury Studies; The In Pursuit of Luxury Journal. London: Intellect.
• Borstrock, S. 2022. Stephen Jones. Luxury Studies; The In Pursuit of Luxury Journal. London: Intellect.
• Bloomfield, M. and Borstrock, S. and Carta, S. and Manlow, V. 2022. Crafting Luxury. London: Intellect.
• Borstrock, S. 2021. Disrupting the Supply Chain: The Luxury of Craftsmanship. In: Coste-Maniere, I. Gardetti, M.A. Eds. Sustainable Luxury and Jewellery. London: Springer, pp.21-40.
• Borstrock, S. 2020. Luxury goods: why elite brands are weathering the pandemic better than high street retailers. In: The Conversation.
• Borstrock, S. 2019. Editor, Second Special Issue – In Pursuit of Luxury. Journal of Design, Business & Society. London: Intellect.
• Borstrock, S. 2018. Personalisation, Customisation and Bespoke – Increasing the product offer of luxury goods and services. Journal of Design, Business & Society. London: Intellect.
• Bloomfield, M. and Borstrock, S. 2018. Modeclix. The additively manufactured adaptable textile. Science Direct. 212 – 216. Elsevier.
• Borstrock, S. 2016. Digital Craftsmanship and Fashion. In: Hack 04-16.