Behind the Seams: Creating a Zero-Carbon Fashion Revolution

In April I attended the ASU FIDM Fashion show at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Arizona. While the fashion was fantastic, I was equally interested in the more invisible, but equally important dimensions of an industry that is the world's third-largest carbon emitter —  1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year.

A zero-carbon fashion dialogue is something I hope to achieve this year with colleagues at ASU including my friend, Dennita Sewell . Dennita is the founding Program Director and Professor of Practice for the BA Fashion program at ASU’s School of Art and also teaches courses on contemporary fashion. 

IN 2023, FIDM announced that its fashion design program had merged with the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University , which is now named ASU FIDM. Herberger operates in both LA and Phoenix. The combination of Phoenix with Los Angeles, a vibrant and eco-conscious city, creates new possiblities for sustainable fashion.

Zero carbon fashion represents a transformative approach in the fashion industry, aiming to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions across the lifecycle of fashion products. This focus is crucial for several reasons:

Climate Change Mitigation: The fashion industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for a substantial percentage of the world's carbon footprint. By designing carbon out of the supply chain, the industry can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change.

Resource Efficiency: Zero-carbon fashion emphasizes the use of renewable resources and energy-efficient manufacturing processes, reducing the industry's reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing its environmental impact.

Consumer Awareness: Fosters a culture of sustainability among consumers, encouraging them to make eco-friendly choices and support brands that prioritize the environment, thereby driving broader societal shifts towards sustainability

The zero-carbon fashion program is born out of a realization that the fashion industry's carbon footprint may require some fresh thinking. With each stitch and seam, the industry is contributing to the growing threat of climate change. This is where the zero-carbon fashion design program idea comes into play — a multidisciplinary endeavor that will bring together the best minds in sustainable materials, eco-friendly manufacturing, and innovative design.

Sustainable fashion can only become mainstream if designers are educated on sustainable materials, its availability and the eco-friendly practices of their supply chain. The aim is to foster innovation in zero-carbon fashion designs, and promote circular fashion to minimize waste. This should be no ordinary curriculum, but instead ia holistic journey that delves into the very heart of sustainability, exploring the history and evolution of sustainable fashion, the impact of the industry on the environment, and the principles of zero-carbon design.