Introduction to Sustainable Sourcing for Fashion (Online)

Sustainability is a hot topic in fashion. This short course is delivered entirely online and introduces key aspects of sustainable sourcing for fashion products. This course unpacks the potential consequences of fashion sourcing decisions on people and the planet and how companies and other key bodies are working to address these consequences. The skills acquired on this course could also be applied to a number of other product areas.

The global reach of the industry is now so great that the dresses sourced by a fashion brand can touch the lives of many people across many countries and interact with the ecological balance of the planet in myriad ways. Whether the consequences of that sourcing decision are positive or negative to the people and planet depends on your viewpoint.

The course encourages you to observe and engage with sustainability and gain an overview of the global fashion industry. You will also explore sourcing, fashion supply chains and the product life-cycle, which will provide the framework for looking at the social and environmental impact of the fashion industry in general, textile production and processing and garment manufacture.

You will also be introduced to ways in which companies and other key bodies are working to address these impacts and their motivations.

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: UPDU055P
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Online attendance: 5 sessions
• Expected total study time: 100 hours
• Location: Online
• Credit: 10 credits at Level 4 (1st year degree level)
• Certificate: 10 credits
• Fee: £350

Contact

For further enquires or to apply for a place on this course, please contact Lisa Mann.

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