Sometimes when we say we work with sustainable fashion people look at us like... "Mmmm, is it really possible for something like fashion to be sustainable?" And let's face it, people are right being suspicious. If anything the fashion industry has become increasingly unsustainable over the last decades, using more and more natural resources and creating more and more waste.
Sustainable Fashion
Taught in English
Some content may not be translated
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(708 reviews)
What you'll learn
You will broaden your knowledge on sustainable fashion, sustainable business models, circular economy and related concepts.
You will understand the challenges and opportunities brands face when they try to create or transition into sustainable business models.
You will learn the basic vocabulary and tools to discuss sustainable business models’ ideas and concepts in the context of fashion.
You will be inspired by case examples from the fashion industry, and learn the details of their innovative and sustainable business models.
Details to know
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There are 7 modules in this course
We often meet people who love fashion! We also meet people who say they couldn't care less about fashion. Or people who find one pair of pants that they really like and then buy 10 pairs to make sure they have pants to wear for a few years. The fascinating thing about fashion is that everybody uses clothes every day. No matter where you live or how much money you have. It is something we all share. Therefore clothing is also an incredibly interesting starting point for a discussion about sustainability. It is something we can all relate to in one way or another. And as clothing is something we all wear, imagine the impact it could have if the fashion industry was to become more sustainable. In the last several years consumers have become increasingly aware of the unsustainable social and environmental practices of the fashion industry. To respond to this increase in critical consumers and survive as a business - also in the long term - fashion companies need to find more sustainable ways of doing business. In this module, you will meet representatives from the industry who will briefly introduce you to some of the fundamental challenges and opportunities for practicing sustainability. Moreover, you will meet us, Ana and Kirsti, who have the extreme pleasure of guiding you throughout this course.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 discussion prompt
In this module, you will be introduced to 3 key concepts: The fashion industry, sustainability and business models. With these 3 concepts, you will be able to decode the past, present and future of sustainable fashion.
What's included
3 videos3 quizzes1 discussion prompt
This module introduces you to a few inspirational brands and companies that work hard to create more sustainable business models. It will also provide a broad theoretical framework for sustainable business models and the differences between these models and traditional business models. At the end of it, you will hear the opinion of Elena Salcedo, a sustainable business model expert working for one of the biggest fashion brands in the world.
What's included
3 videos2 readings2 quizzes2 discussion prompts
In this module, you will be introduced to the basic concepts that define the circular economy in general, and circular fashion in particular. You will be presented with the challenges that the fashion industry faces when trying to go circular. Following this introduction you will hear from our colleague Dr Kerli Kant Hvass, an expert on circular fashion. Finally Kirsti will introduce you to some pretty fascinating examples of circular companies in the fashion industry and you will meet MUD Jeans who is making a business of leasing and recycling jeans. We hope you will have fun!
What's included
5 videos2 readings3 quizzes1 discussion prompt
In this module, we will learn about specific examples of startups and big brands dealing with sustainability. You will discover the different approaches, tools and realities of fashion brands trying to become more sustainable. What kind of sustainable business models are out there? Is it possible to be 100% sustainable? How can you measure your "sustainability"? Keep watching and you will see how brands do it!
What's included
3 videos1 reading3 quizzes
In this module we turn to partnerships for sustainability and the type of tensions that may arise when working together. You will learn about different types of partnership and some
What's included
4 videos1 reading3 quizzes1 discussion prompt
In this final assignment, you must take the skills you have learned to use in a case study of a fashion brand, manufacturer or other organization engaged in the textile and fashion industry.
What's included
1 peer review
Instructors
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Business Strategy
Università Bocconi
Parsons School of Design, The New School
Parsons School of Design, The New School
Parsons School of Design, The New School
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