The 'Safer Custody Clothing' project offered by Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to the Manchester Fashion Institute provided a unique collaborative learning experience for students, staff and industry professionals in relation to garment design, product development and in consideration of technical and manufacturing requirements. Five students on the MA Fashion Innovation programme completed a project redesigning clothing provided for female prisoners at risk of self-harm or in extreme distress situations. The project aimed to build an environment that fostered the students' control of their own learning; encouraging self-regulation, self-motivation and reflective practice. The project enhanced learner independence and confidence in their creative endeavours. Students were encouraged to embark on an independent journey of discovery that defined new ideas and generated a series of problems orientated goals.