The effectiveness of design practice for achieving sustainability and diffusing sustainable fashion

The transition to sustainable fashion is becoming inevitable and appropriate design methods and approaches that are able to address sustainability issues effectively are needed. This paper presents the methods and results of a six-week long sustainable bag design pilot course designed for fashion students. The project sought to combine existing approaches and innovation in the design process, while simultaneously encouraging the use of multiple approaches to sustainability. Students were placed in a position to study and discuss general sustainability issues in specific local contexts, as well as in the process of design and prototyping. The results revealed that students had several opportunities for learning thanks to the special focus of the course on sustainability. By embedding sustainable design criteria into the design process, it did not only draw students’ attention to environmental and social issues but also provided sources of inspiration for the design process and enhanced the creativity of students.