Sustainable Approaches in Fashion

This course offers a foundation in sustainable fashion design, introducing you to key environmental and ethical challenges in the fashion industry and creative ways to address them.

Through a mix of theory and workshops, you will explore techniques such as repurposing fabric scraps using appliqué, embellishment, and quilting; deconstructing and reconstructing garments; and using pattern cutting methods that reduce waste.

You will also learn to use sketchbooks, mood boards, and sampling.You will be taught in specialist art and design studios and through practical demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first, and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection.

Learning in this course is hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery, and engagement with materials and techniques.  

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Critically assess the environmental impact of fashion design choices and apply sustainable strategies within a creative practice;
• Design, develop and construct fashion pieces that demonstrate sustainable thinking, including the reuse of materials, upcycling methods and waste minimisation;
• Demonstrate creative thinking and problem-solving skills in fashion design, integrating ethical and sustainable principles that can be transferred to a professional practice, industry setting or to academic research. 

This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience in fashion design however, a basic understanding of sewing is required including basic knowledge of how to operate a sewing machine.

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration, who enjoy making things, or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s accessible and inclusive learning policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience in fashion design however, a basic understanding of sewing is required including basic knowledge of how to operate a sewing machine.

This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and enthusiasm for creative exploration. While no formal background in art or design is required, learning is hands-on and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged. Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run.

There is no recommended reading with this course; however, your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources.

Reading, listening and communication skills are essential. You must be comfortable learning in English. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.