Looking to expand your knowledge of the fashion industry but don’t want to break the bank? You love fashion, but what about the industry? You’ve heard “fast fashion” is bad and even luxury brands pollute are planet. What is meant by “sustainable” or “conscious” fashion anyways? Learn how the fashion industry works: the good, bad and the ugly by taking any of these free courses and learn how to be a better consumer, creator and citizen.We’ve made a list of reputable classes and other resources so you can educate yourself! Knowledge is power, after all.
Slow Factory Foundation – Open Education
Slow Factory Foundation is an “open education” institution focused on using fashion as an avenue for change, but exists to educate about several forms of social justice as well. It is a free and accessible education series that centers the voices and perspectives of People of the Global Majority. It teaches on multiple topics through 3 major lenses—human rights, climate justice and collective liberation.
We believe that education is the foundation of progress, and that collectively we can cultivate the critical thinking to dismantle harmful systems.
Part of their mission statement includes, “Our initiatives and programs focus on circular design, material innovation and addressing social inequity. Through our media platforms, we translate complex information related to climate and social justice for the public.”
You can register for their classes on a “semester” basis but this isn’t anything like a normal school schedule. Each class is taught by a different person and is scheduled out by dates. So instead of having the same class with different information, each class is about a different topic!
Fashion’s Future: The Sustainable Development Goals
This course by Fashion Revolution invites you to “explore the fashion industry’s impact on people and planet, what the Sustainable Development Goals are, and how they are linked.” With a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, it provides insight on topics such as how the fashion industry works and impacts the world, how global fashion supply chains operate, how the industry connects with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the environmental and economic impacts our clothes have on the world.
You can start this course whenever you would like to! It lasts for a total of four weeks, with about three hours of study per week that can be done at your leisure. The materials are 100% free for four weeks, with added fees for unlimited access if you would like it.
Fashion and Sustainability: Understanding Luxury Fashion in a Changing World)
Provided by London College of Fashion and the French luxury group Kering, this course zeros in on the luxury aspect of sustainability. Also rated 4.9 out of 5 stars, this course offers “…an introduction to issues, agendas and contexts relating to fashion and sustainability in a changing world.” Some of the topics covered include the general connection between luxury fashion and issues of sustainability, sustainable luxury production and consumption, and new ideas and perspectives aimed at reforming harmful practices within this quickly changing industry.
Similar to “Fashion’s Future,” anyone is able to join this four-week long course whenever they can, and will have access to the materials for six weeks. Weekly study is around three hours, and the course is free with added benefits for unlimited access.
Institut FRANCAIS de la Mode
Discover why sustainability in fashion matters and how to create a sustainability strategy. This 10-week online course offered in partnership with Kering will give you the keys to become a change maker in the industry.This course is intended for students or young professionals interested in fashion sustainability, or experienced fashion professionals who want to update their knowledge of the concept of sustainability. No previous skills or experience are required to complete the course. You simply need to justify an interest in the question of sustainable development in fashion. The course will be delivered in English. Note: unlike the ones above this one is not free.
Finally here is a list of all the Sustainable Fashion Courses online and free at FutureLearn!
Let us know if we’re missing anything!
– Nicole el-Koussas
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