Fashion Design
Florence Elective
Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design and Production
Course Description
Italy is a global leader in fashion, but the industry also faces increasing pressure to address
environmental and social sustainability. This course explores how Italian fashion houses and
small artisans are adapting to sustainability trends through ethical production, sustainable
materials, and eco-conscious consumerism. How are Italian fashion brands integrating
sustainable practices into their business models? What role does Italy's rich textile heritage play
in the modern sustainable fashion movement? How do luxury Italian brands balance their
prestigious identities with growing demands for transparency and ethical sourcing?
Using Florence as both classroom and case study, this course examines the evolving landscape
of sustainable fashion in Italy. Through lectures, field visits to fashion houses and artisan
workshops, and project work, students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical
applications related to sustainable fashion, developing their analytical, research, and problem-
solving skills while preparing themselves to engage with the global sustainability agenda in the
fashion industry context.
Fashioning a more responsible industry
The fashion industry intersects with the entire 2030 Agenda. This course most directly engages SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), alongside SDG 8 (Decent Work) through ethical labour and supply chains, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure) via material innovation, SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through textile-industry impacts.
5 Key SDGs Addressed
Key Topics
Sustainable fashion trends
The role of luxury brands in environmental and social responsibility
Materials innovation in fashion
Slow fashion vs. fast fashion
The impact of textile waste on the environment
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1
Identify and explain key sustainability principles and human rights considerations in the fashion industry, their historical context, and the evolution of ethical fashion in Italy.
Assessment: Class Discussions and Debates and Quiz.
2
Evaluate the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic factors in sustainable fashion, analyzing how interventions in one area impact others (e.g., fair labor practices' relationship to product quality and brand reputation).
Assessment: Class Discussions and Debates and Case Study.
3
Assess the effectiveness of current sustainability policies and initiatives by Italian fashion brands, identifying strengths, shortcomings, challenges, and areas for improvement.
Assessment: Class Discussions and Debates and Research Paper.
4
Design innovative, cross-sectoral solutions that address fashion industry challenges, considering technological, social, and environmental factors within the Italian context.
Assessment: Class Discussions and Debates and Group Project and Presentation.
5
Formulate a compelling sustainability advocacy campaign for a fashion brand, utilizing media, partnerships, and sustainability frameworks relevant to the Italian and global fashion industry.
Assessment: Class Discussions and Debates and Group Project and Presentation.
Course Format and Assessment Methods
20%
Class Discussions and Debates
Demonstrated engagement with assigned readings. Thoughtful contributions to class and Canvas discussions.
All LOs
10%
Quiz
Demonstrated understanding of sustainability frameworks and ethical fashion history.
LO 1
20%
Research Paper
A 10–12-page critical analysis of sustainability initiatives of an Italian fashion brand. Though not required, comparison with non-Italian brands is welcome.
LO 3
10%
Case Study
A 3-page analysis of interconnectedness and interdependencies of sustainability factors in the Italian fashion context.
LO 2
20%
Field Studies
Using class field visits to Florentine and Milanese fashion houses and workshops, identify and analyze two examples (10% each) of how sustainability theory intersects with real-world fashion industry practices.
LO 3
20%
Group Project and Presentation
Collaborative research on a fashion sustainability issue, solutions, and innovations (10%), and compelling articulation of findings with practical, action-oriented recommendations for an Italian fashion brand (10%).
LO 4, 5
Course Outline
From fast-fashion's environmental and social toll to circular materials, supply-chain transparency, and the rise of ethical Italian design — the course examines fashion as both a problem and a lever for change.
1
Foundations of Sustainable FashionCore principles, history, and frameworks of sustainable and ethical fashion, with specific focus on Italy's evolution from traditional craftsmanship to modern sustainability initiatives within the fashion industry.
2
The Italian Fashion Industry: Past, Present, and FutureHistorical context of Italy's fashion industry, current landscape of Italian fashion houses, and future challenges and opportunities for sustainability in Italian fashion.
3
Social, Environmental, and Economic Dimensions of Fashion SustainabilitySocial (labor practices, cultural heritage, community impact), environmental (materials, production processes, waste), and economic (business models, profitability, market trends) dimensions of sustainability in the Italian fashion context.
4
Sustainable Fashion in Practice: Italian Case StudiesEffectiveness of current policies, programs, and initiatives designed to advance sustainability in Italian fashion brands (luxury houses, small artisans, textile manufacturers).
5
Measuring Sustainability in Fashion: Certifications and StandardsMethodologies and challenges associated with measuring sustainability in fashion using international standards, certifications, and reporting mechanisms, with focus on how Italian brands engage with these frameworks.
6
Key Stakeholders in Italy's Sustainable Fashion EcosystemRoles and responsibilities of key stakeholders—including designers, manufacturers, government agencies, industry associations, educational institutions, consumers, and advocacy groups—in advancing sustainable fashion in Italy.
7
Ethics and Social Justice in Italian FashionEthical considerations involved in fashion production and consumption, focusing on issues of labor rights, cultural appropriation, inclusivity, and social responsibility in the Italian context.
8
Materials Innovation in Italian FashionInnovative sustainable materials, manufacturing processes, and textile technologies developed by Italian companies that can reduce environmental impact while maintaining quality and aesthetics.
9
Local Craftsmanship and Global MarketsThe tension between local artisanal traditions and global market pressures, examining how Italian fashion balances heritage craftsmanship with international sustainability standards and consumer demands.
10
The Business of Sustainable Fashion in ItalyThe market dynamics surrounding sustainable fashion, including business models, consumer behavior, pricing strategies, and competitive positioning of sustainable Italian fashion brands.
11
Climate Change and the Fashion IndustryClimate impacts of fashion production and consumption, particularly in Italy's textile regions, and analysis of climate action initiatives by Italian brands.
12
Communication and Marketing for Sustainable FashionHow to develop effective communication strategies to promote sustainable fashion, avoiding greenwashing while authentically conveying sustainability values to consumers.
13
Slow Fashion and the Italian ContextThe philosophy and practice of slow fashion as an alternative to fast fashion, examining Italy's historical emphasis on craftsmanship and quality as a natural foundation for the slow fashion movement.
14
Cultural and Heritage Aspects of Sustainable Italian FashionHow sustainable fashion interacts with Italy's cultural heritage, traditional craft techniques, and regional textile traditions, exploring opportunities to preserve cultural knowledge through sustainable fashion initiatives.
Field Visits and Guest Speakers
Sustainable fashion studios and showrooms in Florence
Traditional textile workshops and artisan studios in Tuscany
Fashion sustainability exhibitions
Museo Salvatore Ferragamo and museum exhibitions on sustainable fashion
Textile recycling facilities and circular fashion initiatives
Sustainable fashion retail concepts and concept stores
Using the city as a classroom is an integral element of education abroad, and this course will include several field visits as well as assignments that prompt students to engage actively with their host context. Field visits may include:
Readings & Resources
Films and Recordings
Reports and Documents
Books
Journal Articles
Bini, V. (2021). Milano: The inside story of Italian fashion [Documentary].
Carcano, L. (2022). Salvatore: Shoemaker of dreams [Documentary].
Fashion Revolution. (2023). The true cost of Italian luxury [YouTube video].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KDP3xCYspI
Prigent, L. (2019). Gucci: The year fashion woke up [Documentary].
Rocca, D. (2020). Made in Italy: The roots of excellence [Documentary series].
Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. (2023). Manifesto for Italian fashion sustainability. CNMI.
European Commission. (2020). Circular economy action plan. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular- economy/pdf/new_circular_economy_action_plan.pdf
Fondazione Zegna. (2024). Sustainable wool initiative: Annual impact report. Fondazione Zegna.
Greenpeace Italy. (2022). Toxic threads: The big fashion stitch-up – Italian edition. Greenpeace Italy.
Kering Group. (2023). Environmental profit & loss account report. Kering.
Sistema Moda Italia. (2024). The state of sustainable fashion in Italy. SMI.
United Nations. (2018). Fashion industry charter for climate action. United Nations Climate Change.
Bertola, P., & Terenzi, V. (2021). Design for sustainable fashion: Materials, processes and Italian creativity. FrancoAngeli.
Black, S. (2019). Sustainable fashion and textiles: Design journeys. Routledge.
Cappellieri, A. (2020). Italian jewelry: Sustainability between tradition and innovation. Marsilio.
Fletcher, K. (2022). Sustainable fashion and textiles: Design journeys (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Paulicelli, E. (2018). Italian style: Fashion & film from early cinema to the digital age. Bloomsbury Academic.
Rinaldi, F. R., & Testa, S. (2022). The responsible fashion company: Integrating ethics and aesthetics in the value chain. Routledge.
Segre Reinach, S. (2021). Made in Italy: Rethinking a century of Italian design. Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
Vacca, F. (2023). Design for sustainable fashion: Italian methods and tools. Springer.
Amato, S., & Macchi, L. (2023). Sustainability communication in Italian luxury fashion: Analyzing corporate social responsibility reports. Fashion Theory, 27(2), 145–167.
Caniato, F., Caridi, M., Crippa, L., & Moretto, A. (2021). Environmental sustainability in fashion supply chains: An exploratory case-based research in Italy. International Journal of Production Economics, 135(2), 659–670.
D’Amato, D., & Monfrinatti, M. (2023). Sustainable innovation in Italian textile districts: Examining eco-industrial symbiosis in Prato. Journal of Cleaner Production, 401, Article 136456.
Mora, E., & Ricchetti, M. (2021). The Italian model of fashion: A comparison between Italian manufacturing and industrial districts. International Studies of Management & Organization, 51(1), 15–32.
Paulicelli, E. (2020). Fashion, sustainability and cities: Milan as a sustainable fashion hub. ZoneModa Journal, 10(1), 233–246.
Rinaldi, F. R. (2022). Sustainable craftsmanship in fashion: The case of the Italian luxury industry. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 26(3), 524–539.
Romano, P., & Vinelli, A. (2023). Supply chain integration for sustainable fashion: Evidence from Italian small and medium enterprises. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 28(1), 78–94.
Roos, S., Sandin, G., Zamani, B., & Peters, G. (2019). Environmental assessment of Swedish fashion consumption: Five garments – sustainable futures. Mistra Future Fashion.