Fashion Sustainability: Shaping Fashion’s Future

On this 10-week course, you’ll learn about the history and values of sustainable development – and why it matters in the fashion industry.

Sustainability has become a central concern in modern business – and society at large. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals call for business and government to create a more sustainable future by 2030.

With increased awareness of the damage caused by ‘fast fashion’ – and of the climate crisis in general – fashion and luxury goods brands need to fully embrace sustainability.

Implement a successful corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy in a fashion brand

Alongside fashion thought-leaders at the Institut Français de la Mode and Kering, you’ll identify how to build a practical CSR and sustainability strategy, and how to communicate it to your company’s audience.

You’ll explore the contemporary environmental situation, learning about the climate crisis to better inform your own approach to sustainable fashion.

You’ll look at key areas such as animal welfare and biodiversity, examining how they intersect with broader social issues such as human rights and inclusiveness, coming away able to practically identify how fashion can be more socially responsible

Understand the importance of eco-design and sustainable materials in fashion

The course will encourage you to think about the value chain, leaving you able to recognise how sustainability can be applied to every step of the fashion product lifecycle.

You’ll study the principles of eco-design, which materials most lend themselves to sustainability, and what responsible and sustainable retailing looks like.

Deliver sustainable innovation for your brand

The fashion industry thrives on innovation and creativity, and there’s no reason this has to be sacrificed with sustainability.

Learn more about the future of sustainable fashion, exploring the social innovation of tomorrow, and discover how cutting-edge technologies can drive sustainable change in your business.

Study fashion with the Head of Sustainability IFM-Kering Chair at world-renowned Institut Français de la Mode

Based in the heart of Paris, the fashion capital of the world, Institut Français de la Mode has been a leading school of fashion management and design for over 30 years.

The course is led by Andrée-Anne Lemieux, Sustainability Professor and change leader at the heart of the industry’s transformation. Andrée-Anne Lemieux has over fifteen years of experience in the fashion industry, and specialises in sustainability transformation for new businesses, high street designers, and global corporations.

As the Sustainability IFM-Kering chair, she also manages scientific research in the field of sustainability in the fashion and luxury industry. You’ll also gain insights on sustainability from fashion industry stakeholders at NGOs, and startups, as well as hear from manufacturers and designers on their experiences of sustainability implementation.

You will be ready to become a change leader of the current industry’s transformation.

When are the assessment deadlines?

The next assessment deadlines are as follows:
26th September 2022
5th January 2023
3rd April 2023
31st August 2023

You will be able to submit your assessments directly to IFM up to two weeks prior to the deadline.

Will I receive feedback on my assessments?

Educators will be on hand around the assessment deadline dates to answer any questions you may have in the comments. You will then receive feedback on your assessments one month after the submission deadline.

Courses under this program:
Course 1: Building a CSR and Sustainability Strategy
-Familiarise yourself with the history and values of sustainable development before defining and implementing a CSR strategy.

Course 2: Environment and Social
-This course will help you to identify the major implications of sustainability on the fashion industry.

Course 3: Sustainability in the Value Chain
-Explore the principles of eco-design, sustainable materials and responsible retailing.

Course 4: Sustainable Innovation
-Discover what sustainability might look like in the future including how reconcile sustainability and innovation.