A TRIBUTE TO
DAVID MORRIS
2023 JULY ISSUE
Written by Andrew Sia
From the Desk of the Publisher
When I learned about the passing of David in May, immediately I said to myself that I should write something about this person who had been so important to our industry, and besides he was a friend to many of us. At the same time I lit a candle for David as a fond remembrance of David.
Unfortunately, it was only known to a few of us or otherwise the obituary would take up many pages of our journal to express our remembrance and gratitude to this great person.
David inspired us to extend the learning of contour design to the eastern part of the world and education has laid the foundation for the industry to flourish. Without his visit there would not have created the skillset the industry would need.
David passed away on February 11, 2023 and I am sure that David is missed by many of us.
This piece will be published in LinkedIn and I am sure that it will draw a lot of attention.
Introduction of De Montfort University
The university was founded in 1870, as a public university located in Leicester, United Kingdom. For a very long period, De Montfort has been named within the top 1,000 universities, of a total 23,618 schools and universities in the world. Global ranking sources have ranked De Montfort among top 100 universities in the UK since 2017, of a total of more than 160 universities in the UK.
The university has achieved high quality of teaching and research; it has been highly considered at the same level as other major ranking providers. The last I was told that DMU is now in the “gold” ranking.
My Interaction with De Montfort University
I recall how it was at the turn of the century, through our office in London, I came to know De Montfort University (DMU) because of its faculty in the field of intimate apparel. At that time it was the only university in the world that was teaching this subject. I began to develop a relationship with the university’s faculty after several visits and came to know the dean at that time as well.
In 2003, during one of the visit, I was told by David Morris, who was the member of the faculty, that they wanted to offer me a facility within the school where I would have a free hand to develop at my own will. Very soon I came up with the name of ACE Style Institute of Intimate Apparel (ASIIA) which was named after our company, and we were given a room inside the building. I approached Lectra Systems to equip the room with their computer-aided design (CAD) software for the use in pattern design and grading.
Then I took the institute a step further by inviting 15 of our key vendors along the supply chain for trims, fabrics and laces, embroidery, machine suppliers, and even retailers to sign up as the directors of the incorporation. For the two years of their tenure, they had to contribute £3000 to be used by the students for traveling expenses to trade fairs. I recalled that this was not fully funded but the students were asked to contribute their 50% share. In return, we assured these industry contributors they can hire the students for internships. Actually I was seeking for their participations to spend a Wednesday afternoon with the students to talk to them about their companies and share the situations out there in the industries.
This arrangement lasted until 2010 when our funding dried up, which was also after the Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008 and the financial market collapsed due to many reasons.
The whole thing was very meaningful and we were able to support graduates for more than 80 students per school year. Our London office benefited from the graduated students, and we were able to hire the top students to work in our design studio.
We found students who have moved to the U.S. and worked with the major brands, and we were recognized by them during some industrial functions. They were always very kind and gracious for the opportunities that they earned.
All along, David Morris was supporting this initiative behind the scene. He was the chief coordinator for this faculty but never claimed any credits, and I was most impressed by the effort he contributed. Yet, our interaction didn’t stop there. His interest extended to the next location, where we benefited the most: the creation of a similar institute in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University – ACE Style Institute of Intimate Apparel
It was the second year after we have set up the institute in De Montfort University, ASIIA was incorporated at the HKPU. In 2004 we developed a business plan for a yearly enrolments of 16 students, and the institute became self-sustaining with funding coming from our company in Hong Kong together with the support from the industry.
The university was founded in 1937 and started as the first Government Trade School and it was also known as Hong Kong Technical School. It became Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1972, and it is a public university located in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Among the eight government-funded universities in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has the largest number of enrolled students. In 2023, the university has the 79th globally.
This university is where we built the intimate apparel specialism, and it was the first and only university in Asia that has an institute dedicated to this industry,
Every year the graduates are snatched by the industry, whether it is from the brands and the buying offices or from the manufacturers who are not only in the intimate apparel but also in the fabrics and trims.
During this time David Morris visited the institute tirelessly. He also made a lot of friends over there and earned the highest recognition from the industry. He was helping to train the lecturers who would gain some knowledge during their manufacturing career.
Tributes from David’s Acquaintances – David Morris passed away on February 11, 2023
From Winnie Yu of Hong Kong Polytechnic University
David was a brilliant teacher of Bra Construction and a very popular technical consultant for the lingerie manufacturers locally and globally. He nurtured hundreds of young graduates and industrial people with love and patience. He has also conducted short courses over several years in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University since 2004 and have effectively trained the trainers in the Ace Style Institute of Intimate Apparel. He is a very kind, friendly and open-minded gentleman. He generously shared his teaching materials and videos to facilitate the development of the first-of-its-kind BA(Hons) program in Intimate Apparel in the Far East. He is globally well known as a “Bra Man” with ample experience and sense of humor. He kept sharing his bra knowledge to the new learners with full passion after retiring from DMU. We enjoyed touring after class when he was in HK. He showed me around when I visited him in Leicester. He is my unforgettable mentor and friend particularly in my academic life. Miss you, David!
From Julie King of Staffordshire University
I worked with David Morris for over 11 years at DMU. The first time I met him was when he came to deliver his famous bra making course at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. I was struck by his calm demeanor and knowledge. He helped progress the knowledge of students around the globe, and pioneered work with plastic surgeons to provide post-surgery bras to fit. His knowledge was incredible and he will be missed by all who knew him. What a legacy he leaves, to have shared his skills and experience with generations of designers and technical staff. We will miss you David.
From Katie Foster (student of De Montfort 2000-2003)
Without David Morris, I would not have the skillset for the fulfilling career that I have today. An inspiration to the industry. The very best teacher and mentor who always taught with profound knowledge and compassion. David always made time for each and every student, no question was ever too small or too much. David knew how to make us laugh! I have so many fond memories of my time as his student at De Montfort University and am sure I speak for all. His professional guidance and warm smile will be missed, always. I am forever thankful.
May you rest in peace.
From Claire Barrett (student of De Montfort 2000-2003)
David was a wonderful and patient teacher, and an inspiration I’m sure to many he taught. I hope he looks down with pride on the many lives he has touched, including mine.
With fond memories.
Samantha Mone (student of De Montfort University 2000-2003)
I was fortune to have David as our Senior Lecturer on the Contour Fashion course. He was so knowledgeable and guided us all through the degree in a calm manor even though I’m sure there were a few characters that drove him mad!
David was charming, kind and caring man who I will always hold dear. RIP
Hayley Fischer (student of De Montfort University 2001-2004)
Thank you for everything. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support and knowledge.
Lots of love.
Charlotte Brown (student of De Montfort University 1999-2002)
I first met David in my first year at De Montfort University in Leicester where I was studying for my degree in Contour Fashion. He was always so supportive of his students taking time to talk to them about both their projects and themselves. His technical knowledge was absolutely vast and he was always open and keen to share this knowledge to allow his students to grow. He continued to support me at the start of my career when I found myself on day one a terrified graduate in Hong Kong. I was so comforted at the evening dinner to see David smiling back at me from the table in front of me. Mr. Andrew Sia had kindly invited David along to the dinner as he was out there lecturing. David took me under his wing for my entire trip. I will always be extremely grateful for David’s support and kindness, the whole of the intimate apparel industry owe David a debt of gratitude for inspiring and training a generation of graders and designers.
Julia Mercer of M&S
What a great loss to the lingerie industry the day I heard of David Morris’s passing.
I was so honored to know David and had the greatest respect for his knowledge and love of the Lingerie industry. He had many friends, which I was proud to be one of them.
His knowledge and expertise was respected worldwide, from industry experts to students.
We shared some of the best conversations on bra grading to technical designs in my career.
My favorite memory of David was his sense of humor and fun. I totally respected his views and skills, and always happy to recommend his courses and journal to anyone.
You will be so missed ! God bless
Martin Crew-Gee (student of De Montfort University 1966)
I was accepted for a course at De Montford University in Leicester in 1963, beginning with a one year intensive general art education. It was there I first met Head of the Body Fashions Department, Mrs. Francis Allcock and a tutor named Mrs. Morris, and I spent three years from 1964 to 1966 studying and experimenting there.
During that time I remember a young lad named David Morris would visit occasionally to meet his mother and recall he was always well mannered with a shy smile on his face and a genial disposition. I had no idea at all that he would follow the same profession, nor that he would end up as Head of the Department taking it to levels that were only dreams when I was there.
In a roundabout way I ended up in Nottingham and at social gatherings struck up a friendship with David and his wife who visited my home occasionally where I introduced them to Fondue, and for many years they would recall the happy memories.
Under David’s modernizing leadership and dedication in cooperation with my dear friend Andrew Sia, he achieved many things to educate and promote future designers.
It was very sad to hear he passed away and may he rest in peace.
Gillian Proctor (Associate Professor at De Montfort University)
DMU were extremely saddened at the sad loss of David Morris on February 11. David made an enormous contribution to the Contour Fashion Course over a significant number of years. As a technical specialist he was unrivalled and a great many of the industry globally owe him a huge debt of thanks for his patient and thoughtful instruction. His pedigree with the Contour course was unquestionable. Met his wife Sally whilst studying on the course one where his mother too have been an instructor. I was privileged to work with him for a number of years not only as his boss but as a friend. He and I spent many quiet hours discussing classic cars and music. In later years he did not enjoy good health but always soldiered on with a smile. DMU and the Contour Fashion Course are indebted to him.
Our Endeavor with David
It was in 2010 when David informed me about his publication of his work in the form of a journal which he named as Intimate Apparel Technical Journal. Immediately we subscribed and download the contents to the company’s intranet to allow technical and design staff to have access to this invaluable knowledge. It quickly became a learning tool among the technical staff from which they benefited from their daily work, and we considered David’s professionalism as a powerful tool.
In 2012, I stepped down from the company I founded and decided to move on to the education arena. I used my knowledge for marketing and began my teaching career. Together with David’s technical journal, I compiled all the useful information and founded my own Intimate Apparel Journal. David was so generous to allow me to have access to his work, which was compiled in the technical section, gained the industry’s further attention, and helped to train more people in our field.
Altogether David had launched a total of nine issues but was driving himself too hard by releasing a new issue every six weeks. I told him to take it easy and reserve his energy. Yet, David was always on the move and passed on his knowledge without any reserve and a moment of hesitation. I have all nine issues and selectively used most of the articles by posting them in my journal in a more systematic way. They lasted until April 2019.
In his later years David devoted his time to hold online distance learning course for the contour fashion. The courses were involved in creating the patterns and the grading for larger sizes. They have all provided knowledge sought by the industry.
David worked and shared all his knowledge up until the last moment of his life. He is well remembered and missed by the industry. We can collectively say that, “David, we miss you, and you can rest your head now.”
Picture taken with David Morris at his home in 2012.
Picture taken with David’s mom in 2012.
