ARTH 22
Sustainability in Fashion: A Deep Dive into the "Take-Make-Waste" Apparel Industry Winter 2023

COURSE OBJECTIVE The course will outline and uncover areas within the apparel supply chain that contribute to the “take-make-waste” model that 21st century businesses and consumers have become accustomed to. Students will examine how retailers, consumers, and key stakeholders play a role in the protection of natural resources and social communities, while preserving capital profits. COURSE GOALS Students will: – develop a broad understanding of sustainability uses in pre-production, production, and post-production within the apparel industry. – gain factual knowledge of the environmental & social impacts in relation to the price of fast fashion. – identify and conduct in-depth analyses of key players making an impact in sustainable fashion. – engage in practical assignments to discover challenges, opportunities, and new ideas that could impact the development of future fashion production systems. – uncover methods used to measure environmental impacts and identify relevant certifications. COURSE STRUCTURE The course will include a series of lectures, guest speakers, and case studies conducted during in-person classes, offline discussion boards, and zoom presentations. Additional required readings and film viewing to be completed independently. Guest speakers (via Zoom) will include influential firms and individuals making a significant impact in the development of circular and regenerative systems within the apparel industry. FINAL PROJECT In groups, students will act as “consultants” with the responsibility of developing a sustainability strategy for a retail firm. They will conduct an analysis of the firm’s materials, factories, retail outlets, and marketing to determine problems areas and identify opportunities. The objective is to map out realistic sustainability strategies based on the firm’s current state.