Integrating sustainability through credible evaluation systems
Integrating sustainability through credible evaluation systems
The Sustainable Fashion Design Specification form (SFDS) was developed as a pedagogical tool to gauge undergraduate students’ implementation of sustainable practice and considerate design at undergraduate level. This pilot was initially implemented in 2017 to assist fashion undergraduates in considering their research and development at a formative stage of product development and design to support their knowledge of economic viability, environmental protection and social equity.
Initially conceived to align with the fashion industry which maps out their commitment to sustainable & responsible sourcing using standards and certifications, the SFDS is a tool that assists in educating students on the principles of effectively measuring and evaluating the social and environmental impacts of their practice and alignment to the fashion industry. Fashion educators regularly update, implement and maintain their relevance and currency of sustainable fashion principles, practices and processes with the wider global fashion industry. Similarly, the SFDS aims to support students so that they can become confident and self-sufficient practitioners in their research and development approaches and contribute to responsible design and sustainable practice.
The SFDS model has been implemented and integrated across art & design faculties and a range of fashion subject areas including design and marketing and reflects several years of completed data from undergraduate fashion students. Over the years there have been a range of responses to the SFDS model, with the responses revealing that the SFDS model is a useful pedagogical tool for enhancing undergraduate design outcomes in the context of sustainable fashion design and that student feedback and this reflection undergoes constant change. The implementation of an SFDS integrated into higher education aligns with industry standards and certification contributing to the ongoing conversation on sustainability in fashion education and provides practical insights for educators seeking to enhance their students' professional practice and graduate-ready outcomes.
Ryan, Karen
62c26d98-dc8d-4b93-b795-3529cf31359c
Ryan, Karen
62c26d98-dc8d-4b93-b795-3529cf31359c
Ryan, Karen
(2025)
Integrating sustainability through credible evaluation systems.
In,
Idacavage, Sara and Downing Peters, Lauren
(eds.)
Teaching Fashion Sustainably: : Pedagogy, Perspectives, Practice.
(Teaching Fashion Studies series)
Bloomsbury Publishing.
(In Press)
Record type:
Book Section
Abstract
The Sustainable Fashion Design Specification form (SFDS) was developed as a pedagogical tool to gauge undergraduate students’ implementation of sustainable practice and considerate design at undergraduate level. This pilot was initially implemented in 2017 to assist fashion undergraduates in considering their research and development at a formative stage of product development and design to support their knowledge of economic viability, environmental protection and social equity.
Initially conceived to align with the fashion industry which maps out their commitment to sustainable & responsible sourcing using standards and certifications, the SFDS is a tool that assists in educating students on the principles of effectively measuring and evaluating the social and environmental impacts of their practice and alignment to the fashion industry. Fashion educators regularly update, implement and maintain their relevance and currency of sustainable fashion principles, practices and processes with the wider global fashion industry. Similarly, the SFDS aims to support students so that they can become confident and self-sufficient practitioners in their research and development approaches and contribute to responsible design and sustainable practice.
The SFDS model has been implemented and integrated across art & design faculties and a range of fashion subject areas including design and marketing and reflects several years of completed data from undergraduate fashion students. Over the years there have been a range of responses to the SFDS model, with the responses revealing that the SFDS model is a useful pedagogical tool for enhancing undergraduate design outcomes in the context of sustainable fashion design and that student feedback and this reflection undergoes constant change. The implementation of an SFDS integrated into higher education aligns with industry standards and certification contributing to the ongoing conversation on sustainability in fashion education and provides practical insights for educators seeking to enhance their students' professional practice and graduate-ready outcomes.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 2025
Additional Information:
A new volume in Holly Kent’s Teaching Fashion Studies series, Teaching Fashion Sustainably: Pedagogy, Perspectives, Practice, highlights the important work being undertaken at the world’s leading fashion schools to create the conditions for a more environmentally responsible, ethical, and equitable fashion industry. Through a rich collection of essays, interviews, and practical lesson plans, the book provides a comprehensive guide for reimagining fashion education and driving lasting, authentic change.
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 501902
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/501902
PURE UUID: 3d72e932-0a8e-43cd-870c-03f63a42c2a1
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 11 Jun 2025 18:28
Last modified: 12 Jun 2025 02:24
Export record
Contributors
Author:
Karen Ryan
Editor:
Sara Idacavage
Editor:
Lauren Downing Peters
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics