Student Residency Case Study: Donald Mass

Describe your creative business/services.

I am the founder and creative director of TrapMass, part of my wider creative brand TMP (The Main Play). My work focuses on streetwear design, creative direction, and community-driven fashion projects. TrapMass blends fashion with storytelling, exploring themes such as youth culture, identity, and social issues like anti-knife crime awareness. Alongside designing and producing garments, I also organise events, photoshoots, and workshops that connect fashion with real-life experiences. My services include fashion design and production, styling, creative direction, event planning, and community-based creative work. 

Do you think your work has developed since moving into Banks Mill? How has having a studio supported/changed your practice? 

Yes, my work has developed significantly since moving into Banks Mill. Having a studio has allowed me to take my work more seriously and operate in a more professional environment. It has improved my consistency, workflow, and ability to develop full collections rather than individual pieces. The space has also helped me separate home and work life, stay more focused, and collaborate with other creatives. Overall, it has pushed me to think bigger and treat my brand as a long-term business. 

What UoD support activities have you engaged with? 

I have engaged with a range of University of Derby support activities including Enterprise support programmes, Pitch Perfect-style opportunities, and Game Changer initiatives. I am also part of the Made in Derby programme, where I have received coaching and guidance to develop my business idea further. These opportunities have helped me improve my pitching skills, business understanding, and overall confidence. 

 

Have you engaged with other support outside of the University and Banks Mill? 

Yes, I have engaged with external support such as The King’s Trust Enterprise programme and local collaborations within Derby. I have also worked alongside organisations like Role Resolve Therapy, part of the University of Derby’s Enactus team, to explore how fashion and creativity can support wellbeing and youth engagement. These experiences have helped me grow both creatively and professionally.

What other activities have you been involved in? 

Over the past year, I have taken part in Banks Mill’s Open Studios, where I showcased my work and connected with the public. I have also organised and hosted TrapMass events in Derby, worked on photoshoots and look-books, and contributed to fashion-related opportunities such as styling at Graduate Fashion Week.

Can you tell us how these opportunities have supported your business? 

These opportunities have helped me build brand awareness, connect with new audiences, and gain real-world experience. They have improved my confidence in presenting my work, strengthened my communication skills, and allowed me to test my ideas through events, collaborations, and customer feedback. They have also helped me understand how to grow TrapMass as both a creative brand and a business. 

 

 

Have you received any funding/grants/awards in the last 12 months? 

I have been selected for opportunities such as the UNiDAYS Student Accelerator (Top 100 nationally) and have been involved in University of Derby enterprise programmes. I have also applied for funding opportunities such as the Civic Community Fund and continue to explore further funding to support the growth of my brand.

What’s the next step for your business/practice? 

The next step is to grow TrapMass into a recognised streetwear brand with strong cultural and community impact. This includes launching new collections, expanding events and workshops, building partnerships, and increasing my presence both locally and online. I am also working towards a larger brand relaunch and developing TMP as a long-term creative platform. Banks Mill has given me the space to turn ideas into reality. It’s where TrapMass stopped being just a brand and started becoming a real business with purpose.