Clothing plays a major role when it comes to sustainability. Fast fashion is a particular problem. What can we do about it? The minor in Fashion Industry shows students how they can bring about positive change.
Dr Mariangela Lavanga focuses her research on the transition to a more sustainable fashion and textile industry. She is one of the driving forces behind the minor in Fashion Industry. Lavanga launched the course together with her colleagues Prof. Ben Wubs (History department) and Dr Ana Uribe Sandoval (Media department).
Be part of the change to sustainable fashion
What prompted you to set up a minor on fashion? Lavanga explains: 'The world is in crisis. Lack of sustainability is a persistent problem in many sectors of our economy. And fashion is no exception. That’s why at Erasmus University, we wanted to start doing research and education in the fashion industry and be part of this change.'
'We felt that there was a gap in education and research and that we could fill that by introducing a minor in Fashion Industry,' Lavanga continues. 'The minor actually looks at the cultural and economic aspects of this industry, but also at the business history and the media. So the minor came to be. It is the Netherlands' first academic minor in fashion.'
Balance between social impact and environmental impact in the fashion industry
Jana van den Bergen, Innovation Associate at Fashion for Fashion for Good is an alumna of the first edition of the minor. Jana chose the minor in Fashion Industry because her bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration was very theoretical and numbers focused. 'I missed the creativity and practical applications. I knew to some extent about the wicked issues of the fashion industry, both social and environmental, but during this minor, I really dove into this. Looking at this from different perspectives, trying to find holistic solutions to the problems you encounter. That’s what this minor teaches you.'
One thing that Jana discovered is that the industry is all interconnected. 'For example if you solve one issue in the factory, making production more efficient, you may risk losing workers' jobs. So it’s always about the balance between social and environmental impact.'
The alumna also learned that sustainability is really about innovation and a mindset change. As Jana says, 'On the one hand we need innovation to make current processes more sustainable, and on the other hand we need to change mindsets to make sure we really adopt these new technologies and processes.'
'By producing small quantities and working with materials from local sources, you can work in a sustainable way'
Jana van den Bergen
Alumnus
Fashion incubator for greater sustainability
There are good examples of new ways of working, towards a more sustainable future. Our city is no exception. Mevan Kaluarachchi is one of the designers at De Wasserij, an incubator for innovative fashion in Rotterdam.
In his work as a designer, sustainability means a lot to him. Kaluarachchi explains: 'For me it's a philosophy. It’s a way of thinking. Most of the people who work here, are working in the same way. They are all producing in small quantities and they buy their materials from local sources. They bring their materials here, so that’s a very sustainable way of working.'
Dr Lavanga explains: 'I think this is the right time for Erasmus University to experiment with what we call transformative education and research. Our students’ experience has already shown us how they will become part of the change. So we really believe that Erasmus University can be the place where this form of transformative education and research can thrive.'
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