We engage with fashion every day, yet we rarely analyze the complex design systems, histories, and environmental impacts stitched into what we wear. This Specialization will elevate your relationship with clothing—not only in decoding trends, but exploring fashion as a powerful medium of cultural expression and social change.
By looking at landmark garments from the early 20th century through to today’s cutting-edge innovations, you will develop a critical framework for understanding how design shapes identity and industry. You will gain firsthand insights from designers, historians, and makers who are currently reimagining the lifecycle of clothing across the globe. Whether you are a student of design or a professional interested in the ethics of consumption, this program provides the tools to see the world—and your own wardrobe—through a lens of purposeful innovation.
Applied Learning Project
In this Specialization you will engage in hands-on creative work that bridges the gap between historical context and personal practice. You’ll evaluate the lifecycle of garments and identify actionable strategies for integrating repair and sustainability into modern fashion practices. Deconstruct how clothing functions as a tool for communication, power, and critique in global visual culture. Apply design-thinking principles through prompts that challenge you to rethink the materials, form, and function of everyday objects.
