Fashion Ecologies
Scope
Fashion Ecologies corresponds to the most radical level of the transformation scale. It guides students in playing an active role in challenging current practices and beliefs. Starting with the introduction of key literature on the notions of material agency and bio-design, students will discuss how to implement a more responsible future among the different ecologies that fashion entails, through a more-than-human perspective.
The unit is carried out with a particular interest in research-oriented design. Students will be requested to engage with ecologies beyond the university environment through real-world design interventions and interdisciplinary teams to evaluate how different practices and paradigms can be influenced by their work. Partners such as institutions, policy makers, and the fashion industry are encouraged to host such interventions.
Keywords
Bio-design, environment
Future thinking
Material agency
Oost-humanism
Planetary boundaries
Speculative design
Student’s Pre-Requisite Skills and Knowledge
Knowledge on basic of fashion and sustainability; elementary know-how on material properties
Learning Goals
Knowledge
Post-humanist perspectives in fashion design
Capabilities
Environmental sustainability, envisioning, motivation, materials, production processes
Pedagogical Approaches
Place-based learning; future thinking; systemic thinking; informed decision making; creative and critical thinking
Key Resources
Saint-Pierre, L. (2019) Design and Nature: a History. in Fletcher, K. and Saint-Pierre, L. (2019) Design and Nature: A Partnership. London: Earthscan.
Bruggeman, Daniƫlle. 2018. Dissolving the Ego of Fashion. Engaging with Human Matters. Arnhem: ArtEZ Press.
Verbeek, Peter-Paul. 2005. What Things Do. Philosophical Reflections on.
Technology, Agency, and Design. University Park: The Pennsylvania State University Press.