Sustainable Textiles Online Short Course
Course description
Course overview
This course will expand your understanding of the environmental problems caused by today's textile industry and point the way towards sustainable alternatives that you can implement as a designer, retailer, or manufacturer.
The course is organised as a series of lectures, and students are encouraged to ask questions, add to their own experience, and get involved in the debate. Each week there is also a wide range of reference material to review, and a practical assignment to help you put your knowledge into practice.
The course begins with a review of the impact of the industry's use of chemicals and scarce resources, poor industry practices, and waste. Then you will learn about the innovations that have the potential to solve these problems.
We will look at new eco-friendly fabrics and fibres, better and cleaner production processes, and ethical considerations such as fair trade and safe working. We will also review sustainable changes in the consumption of textiles, such as recycling, upcycling and changes in consumer habits to reduce landfill when buying clothes. By the end of the course, you will be ready to make more sustainable decisions as a fashion professional, benefiting your company and our environment.
Who this course is for
The course is aimed at garment technologists, designers, fashion buyers, manufacturers, or anyone who wants to understand more about the environmental issues in textile and garment manufacture.
It would be an excellent fit for those who want to learn more about ways to use more sustainable products and practices.
Key information
Topics covered
- Why certain raw materials are environmentally unfriendly
- Environmentally sound textile dyes and finishes
- Sustainable natural fibres
- Synthetic or man-made fibres and sustainability
- Ethical practices such as fair trade, living wage and safe working
- Retailing considerations
- Recycling of textiles and clothing
- Closed loop systems
- Garment care - laundering and disposing of garments
Learning outcomes
- Gained a better understanding of where textiles can be poor for the environment
- Learnt about some of the better alternative options when choosing textiles
- Gained confidence on the terminology used e.g. organic, fair trade, closed loop, recycled, etc
- Completed research on areas of sustainability
- Considered the whole process from raw materials, through to textiles and garments and then to retail and consumer
- Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Notepad and pen
Please see our Guide to taking online short courses
Tutor
Paulette Colman
Paulette Colman has had a highly successful career working in textile design, retail and garment manufacturing for over 40 years, the last 20 years as Fabric Director for a major garment maker to major UK and international brands. She has worked in particular in the area of product development - sourcing and developing fabrics worldwide for a variety of customers from high end designer ranges, high quality retailers and major supermarkets.Paulette has wide experience working closely with fabric suppliers especially in the Far East and has led an international team of fabric specialists in the UK, China and India over many years.
Paulette brings to the course extensive insight on the wide scope of fabrics available: how they are made; their properties and potential; and in-depth knowledge of the textile industry.
Paulette has a BA Hons in Textile Design from Leeds University and an MBA from Cape Town University.
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