Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Experiential Learning in the Fashion Sustainability Classroom: The Development of a Fashion Revolution Week Event Using Creative Problem-Solving

---

Abstract

Designed for a beginner-level fashion sustainability primer course, the purpose of the Fashion Revolution Week Event (FRWE) Project is to engage students in the planning and execution of a Fashion Revolution Week Event using experiential learning. Complementing the course curriculum, students use creative problem-solving techniques and perform research to develop an informational poster and interactive activity to share during Fashion Revolution Week at a fair event on campus. This project challenges students to solve the problem: "How can we educate the campus community about issues related to fashion sustainability?" and enact the solution through real-world in-person discussions with members of the campus community. Regardless of the unprecedented challenges associated with Spring 2020, the inaugural event was adapted to a Webinar, receiving strong praise. Students reflect strong learning outcomes and inspiration to improve the sustainability of the fashion industry through their roles as consumers and future fashion industry professionals.

Keywords: Fashion Revolution, creative problem-solving, sustainability, experiential learning

How to Cite:

Smith, C., (2020) “Experiential Learning in the Fashion Sustainability Classroom: The Development of a Fashion Revolution Week Event Using Creative Problem-Solving”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 77(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.11737