How to Source Sustainable Fashion (Online)

If you have done the Level 4 course called Introduction to Ethical Sourcing for Fashion, then this course builds on the skills that you will have acquired.

This short course is delivered entirely online and introduces key aspects for professionals to consider when responsible for sourcing sustainable fashion products. Sustainability is becoming an important business consideration in most industries, including fashion. This course deals with the important potential consequences of fashion sourcing decisions on the planet and investigates how manufacturers, companies, brands and other key bodies are working to address these consequences and trade more ethically. The skills acquired on this course could also be applied to a number of other product areas.

The fashion industry is international and accounts for a vast turnover of revenue in the world economy. The products sourced by those who make the decisions for fashion brands can involve and affect many countries in many ways. The consequences of sourcing decisions can be positive or negative to people and the planet (depending on your viewpoint); however the fashion industry is now embracing these issues and many brands are making progress with improving their policies concerning sustainability. This course will encourage you to think strategically and help you to develop your knowledge of sustainable issues so that you can be at the forefront of this change in sustainable business practice.

The course encourages you to engage and make decisions with sustainability in mind and you will further develop your knowledge of the global fashion industry and the effects it has on those that work in it.

You will carry out research and study on fashion supply chains, product life-cycle, the social and environmental impact of the fashion industry, textile production and processing and garment manufacture.

You will have the opportunity to work with an experienced tutor who will assist you with your understanding of the subject, facilitate and encourage discussion and provide feedback on your progress. You will have access to a range of online resources such as guest lectures, live critiques, podcasts, e-books, interviews and films created with industry professionals. You will also be encouraged to attend relevant exhibitions, trade events and shows wherever possible.

Course materials will be available through the Solent Online Learning Portal| and you will work independently, at your own pace, on a series of exercises designed to encourage a self-reflective approach to your personal knowledge development. Group discussion and a sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas will be actively encouraged in order to create an online community of learning within which you will develop a network of colleagues.

A final assessment will take place at the end of the twelve-week, course for which you will be required to submit electronically a final piece of work.

Where possible and appropriate you will be encouraged to relate this unit to your own working practice.

Course delivery

The course combines practical exercises with input from industry experts as well as current supporting theory. You will be encouraged to reflect on your progress while working through the course materials and exercises and developing your creative and visual communication skills.

Who is the course for?

• Independent boutique owners and staff
• High street retail managers and staff
• Those thinking of setting up a fashion business
• Those thinking of a future career in fashion retail
• Those wishing to refresh or enhance their existing professional skills and improve and update their CV
• Those interested in learning about sustainable fashion/the fashion industry.

Key details

• Unit code: UPDU051P

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Online attendance: a number of sessions

• Expected total study time: 100 hours

• Location: online

• Credit: 10 credits at Level 5 (Second year degree level)

• Certificate: 10 credits

• Fee: £350

Contact

To enquire further or apply for a place on this course, please contact Lisa Mann:

Email: lisa.mann@solent.ac.uk|
Telephone: +44 (0)23 8031 9386