VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University have created a cross-university project to advance sustainable fashion. 

This week, April 19-23, students at both universities have launched digital education and advocacy campaigns in support of Fashion Revolution Week 2021, part of Fashion Revolution’s global movement creating a more sustainable fashion industry. This year’s theme focuses on the interconnectedness of human rights and the rights of nature.

“The fashion industry is being challenged to think more sustainably. By taking a collaborative and creative approach, we can drive social impact in that space,” said Kimberly Guthrie, associate chair and assistant professor in the Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising at the VCU School of the Arts. Guthrie designed the project with VCUarts instructor Tammy Davis and Sharon Spradling, an instructor in George Mason’s School of Integrative Studies.

“Students are often overwhelmed with negative information about the state of the fashion industry,” Davis said. “This project facilitates a means of engagement and understanding, and then a way to apply new knowledge to advance the goals and principles of sustainable fashion.

“Students often take classes to get a grade or earn an ‘A,’ but that’s not the way we teach. We want students to say ‘I know sustainable fashion is the right thing to do, and I’m going to do it because it’s the right thing to do.’”

Nine teams composed of Mason and VCU students launched their campaigns April 19 on their institution’s respective Instagram accounts, @fashionrevgmu and @fashionrevvcu, using the #LovedClothesLast tag. The posts celebrate the students’ individual history and love of a special garment or pair of shoes to emphasize the need to reject “fast fashion” by practicing gratitude for clothing items, emphasizing proper caretaking and encouraging the purchase of items that are ethically and sustainably sourced, manufactured and sold.

Throughout the week, students have showcased Fashion Revolution as an organization and as a movement and have been explaining why it’s important for the world to take notice.

“With this project, we’re closely aligned with Fashion Revolution’s efforts and we help students understand a variety of issues — wasted resources, environmental pollution, unfair labor practices, unsafe working conditions, child and slave labor, and other complex issues — and give them the freedom to use the power of their collective voices to educate and advocate for change,” Spradling said.

On the final day of the campaigns, April 23, students will select a Fashion Revolution initiative — “Who Made My Clothes,” “What’s in My Clothes” or “Who Made My Fabric” — to draw attention to the many challenges of the current fashion industry, particularly the acquisition and use of materials, the manufacturing process, and the impacts on garment workers and the environment.

“Students are the changemakers of today and tomorrow,” Guthrie said. “When students work together to educate and advocate for sustainable fashion with confidence, they can change the world. With this project, we’re educating, encouraging, and empowering students to take what they learn in class and apply it to make an impact. And that’s the goal of educators.”

Throughout the project, Mason and VCU’s sustainability offices have provided guidance and support, and the project is showcased on Mason’s Earth Month Calendar.

“Earth Month at Mason educates and empowers Mason Patriots to take action for a healthy planet,” said Ben Auger, program manager for education and outreach in Mason’s Office of Sustainability. “And this project provides the Mason Nation with an opportunity to make an impact at Mason and beyond.”

Guthrie, Davis and Spradling envision expanding the project across higher education institutions around the world for Fashion Revolution Week 2022.

Follow the project: @fashionrevvcu & @fashionrevgmu.

Engage: #fashrevhighered #fashrevvcu2021 #fashrevgmu2021 #LovedClothesLastVCU #LovedClothesLastGMU #FashionRevolution #FashionRevolutionWeek #WhoMadeMyClothes #WhatsInMyClothes #LovedClothesLast