Students Learn the Art and Ethics of Sustainable Fashion in Florence

Last weekend, a group of LAS students embarked on an immersive journey to Florence, exploring the world of sustainable fashion through hands-on experiences. The trip offered a unique blend of education, culture, and creativity centered around sustainability in one of the fashion capitals of the world. The students visited Polimoda, an acclaimed fashion school affiliated with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, and the innovative Zero Lab, gaining firsthand insights into sustainable practices often used in the luxury fashion industry.

The students’ introduction to Florence's fashion industry began at Polimoda, a world-renowned fashion school. Here, they toured the impressive campus filled with resources that bring fashion history to life, including an extensive library with books dating back to the 1500s—rare resources that are hard to find online! During an engaging talk on sustainable business models, students learned what it means to create a luxury product: craftsmanship, fair wages, quality materials, and sustainable production. These indicators contrast with the fast-fashion culture that is prevalent worldwide today. The day finished with a "mock aperitivo" on a rooftop overlooking Florence's breathtaking Duomo. This was a fantastic experience for students, and they discussed what they learned that day.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to Zero Lab in the heart of Florence's leather manufacturing district. Zero Lab is dedicated to using recycled leather scraps from luxury brands to create new products, promoting environmental consciousness in fashion, an industry that often produces a lot of waste. Students learned about different leather types, treatments, and how brands can reduce environmental impact by repurposing leather scraps.

Students then had the opportunity to design their own leather totes. They chose their leathers, made the bags, and worked alongside skilled craftworkers who helped them add rivets and straps. This hands-on experience allowed students to work on their creations for over three hours, producing one-of-a-kind bags that demonstrated the ethos behind sustainable fashion. It was a valuable experience for our students and allowed them to see the real-life applications of their environmental studies in class! 

As part of the experience, the students also watched a short film and went to a presentation on the human side of fashion production. They learned about the harsh realities many garment workers face, from unsafe working conditions to unfair wages and even abuse. This session aimed to raise awareness about the role consumers play in the supply chain and showed the difference between brands that prioritize ethics versus brands that focus only on profit.

To emphasize the message of sustainability, students transformed old T-shirts into small shopping bags. This activity not only highlighted the value of recycling but also encouraged students to think creatively about sustainable choices they can use in their everyday lives. It was a creative task, and our students loved working together and individually to make some unique products! 

The trip to Florence was an incredible experience and taught our students so much about sustainable fashion, creativity, and workers’ rights. Gaining hands-on experience from expert craftspeople was an invaluable experience that our students were really lucky to be a part of, providing them with an in-depth understanding and awareness of how they can make informed, ethical, and creative choices with fashion!