Sustainability in Fashion and Retail

Sustainability in Fashion and Retail examines the challenges faced by designers, product developers, and consumers as they create, wear, and recycle clothing and fashion. Topics include (but are not limited to): the environmental impact of fast fashion, social responsibility, economic impact of textile and clothing recycling, technology and sustainable futures, and exploring healthy and clean fiber. Students will not only learn about the past progress made toward sustainability in fashion but will also be encouraged -- even challenged -- to embrace innovative approaches to stopping current poor practices, aiming toward a better, cleaner future. They will understand that they can and should be part of the solution. This course is about change: changing our mindset, changing the way we view fashion, and changing the world in which we live. Students will use a variety of learning methods throughout the course, including online videos and guided discussions. There will also be one written assignment and exams.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze the sustainability challenges facing designers, product developers, and consumers.
• Identify the seven main forms of sustainable fashion consumption.
• Examine effective best practices of contemporary industry initiatives toward sustainability.
• Compare sustainability practices over the past twenty years for specific designers/companies.