A portion of my "Current Designers" class at the Art Institute of California focuses on fast fashion, examining retailers and discussing the environmental impact and ethical issues. While pulling together materials about the topic, I felt it was my duty to school the future of fashion not only about the business side of producing trendy clothing at a wallet-friendly pricepoint but to also open their eyes to bigger issues such as the environment and ethics.
During my class session, I read three articles aloud about factory conditions in Bangladesh, the dangers of toxic chemicals found in clothing we wear and a case against fast fashion collaborations which produced a lively round of discussions. Afterwards the class ventured out to walk the floors of fast fashion retailers. Keeping in mind what we had just covered in class, I asked the students to examine the clothing quality and to take note of where the garments were produced.
Blog assignments about our excursion encouraged students to formulate their own opinion as to whether they themselves are for or against fast fashion. Knowledge is power after all. Visit Fashion's Future on Fast Fashion to read a few highlights from blogs composed by my Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing and Management students.