The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, but initiatives at ASU's Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising program are trying to revamp the industry from the inside out. As the global fashion industry faces criticism for its polluting habits, ASU FIDM is responding with a charged, student-driven movement toward cleaner and eco-friendly designs.
From entry-level design classes to entire courses dedicated to teaching students about the environmental impact of the fashion industry, the issue of sustainability is not confined to a single course offered by the program. Instead, it's incorporated into every aspect of a student's major map from construction to merchandising.
"Creating a more educated professional base of sustainability topics is going to move the needle forward," Remington Reble, an ASU FIDM program manager, said. "The next generation of fashion professionals in the industry, whatever their area of focus might be, having that emphasis in sustainability will allow the industry overall to be more aware."
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Students like graduating senior Riley Kennedy, whose whole final capstone collection titled "Reclaimed Rebellion" emerged from her desire to challenge wasteful practices of producing garments, looks to recycle materials.
Rather than sourcing new materials, Kennedy, who is studying fashion, turned to discarded fabric scraps from her past projects to develop a process for making a new textile.
"I was taking water-soluble paper, sandwiching the fabric scraps in between it, and sewing all over, and then I dissolved that paper so I have a new textile," Kennedy said. "A big priority to me is sustainability, and because fashion is like the second-most polluting of industries ... I wanted to find a way to pursue that while also having a smaller effect on the Earth."
Melissa Ramos, another graduating ASU FIDM senior studying fashion, also placed a heavy emphasis on sustainability for her senior capstone collection. Ramos, working primarily with denim, developed a series of patchwork garments aimed at reducing textile waste and extending the life of pre-existing materials.
"Gradually learning more and more about (sustainability), it just kind of stuck with me, because I see our planet suffering the consequences of our actions," Ramos said.
Focusing on repurposing fabrics, Ramos began only using pre-existing materials in her studio. The process of construction was not only a challenge that pushed her creatively — It has also become a personal mission to shift awareness about the damaging processes of the industry.
"If I can make one little change, or have some sort of impact that can spark change, then that would be so fulfilling," Ramos said.
Beyond coursework and student projects, ASU FIDM is actively developing partnerships with industry leaders to push sustainability initiatives forward. While the specifics of these collaborations remain confidential, Reble hinted at the scale of these projects.
"We are working on a couple of collaborations with some industry partners," Reble said. "We are going to have a little bit more information ... this Friday, April 11, at our upcoming fashion symposium."
The event will showcase guest speakers brought in by ASU FIDM to share their expertise in sustainability and beyond. The symposium is one of the many events leading up to ASU FIDM's end-of-the-year capstone fashion show on Saturday, which will showcase many of the eco-friendly initiatives the program and students are creating.
"We're looking at how we can connect with industry partners to provide our expertise in the fashion industry, work with their market and drive some of these initiatives forward," Reble said. "We're super excited for some of these initiatives coming up."
The innovation at ASU FIDM reflects a broader movement in fashion education as a new generation of designers is not only learning the skills of garment production, but also helping shift the industry's priorities. As fashion continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the University and its students are proving industry change can start in the classroom.
"We hope to continue to raise interest and awareness of the unique aspects that one can do with regards to fashion and sustainability," Reble said.
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Abigail Beck and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at thutche1@asu.edu.
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Tiffany is a freshman studying fashion design in business administration. This is her second semester with The State Press.
