Experimental Sustainable Practices in Fashion Education

Abstract

Sustainability is expanding and transforming the context and practice of fashion education these days. The current industrial fashion education paradigm is reaching its end, and new patterns are emerging to address the socio-economic, human and environmental concerns related to the fashion industry. Valued at approximately 3000 billion (3 trillion) dollars by fashionunited.com, the global fashion industry has seen exponential growth over the last few years (https://fashionunited.com/global-fashion-industry-statistics. Retrieved 30th July 2018). The next generation of designers, therefore, need to be trained and prepared to face fashion industry challenges and opportunities in the technologically advanced but resource-constrained future. This paper explores the application of garment construction sustainability concepts of zero-waste, upcycling and reconstruction in a viable experimental project based on sustainable design practices. The project involves the designing and execution of a collection by undergraduate fashion design students at the College of Design at American University in the Emirates in Dubai. The works are analyzed based on design concept, material, process, and professional sustainable practices. The research outcomes will be used to shape and enhance future fashion design projects/assignments based on best sustainable practices and current fashion trends to promote sustainable design.