By Julia Capune
Whether you just got introduced to the sustainable fashion movement, want to deepen your knowledge or are a long-time advocate, staying informed is one of the most powerful ways to make better consumption choices. Education helps us understand today’s sustainability challenges, rethink our relationship with clothing and share meaningful resources with communities.
Thankfully, there is an abundance of inspiring educational resources out there already, including podcasts, documentaries, books and articles. Today, we want to share some of our favourite resources that have shaped the way we see the fashion industry.
A must-watch documentary: The True Cost
A pivotal moment in sustainable fashion education, The True Cost helps viewers understand the economical, social and environmental costs of clothing – a cost that is ofien paid by garment workers in the Global South. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, and even more than ten years later, its message remains just as relevant. You can watch the full documentary on YouTube.
A powerful read: Consumed by Aja Barber
If you prefer to get your nose into a good book, then Consumed by Aja Barber might be the one for you! Aja Barber is a writer, stylist and consultant whose work deals with the intersections of privilege, feminism, colonialism and how to fix the fashion industry with all these things in mind. In her book she not only exposes injustices across consumer industries but also challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about their own consumption habits.
A podcast to grow: Wardrobe Crisis
The podcast Wardrobe Crisisby the author and journalist Clare Press addresses the big issues around fashion, including the unfair treatment of garment workers, pollution, climate change and what the future of sustainable fashion may look like. She does this together with her interview guests from across the sustainable fashion landscape. Her podcast is honest, humorous and vulnerable and navigates us through the ups and downs of sustainable fashion developments.
Next Up: The GSFW EduPlatform
Last but not least, we at the Global Sustainable Fashion Week (GSFW) are excited to introduce the GSFW EduPlatform to you! Whether you are a designer in the fashion industry, a young professional or a conscious consumer, the EduPlatform offers accessible education on the current state of sustainable fashion, explores the social and environmental impact of fashion, including fair labour practices and transparency, and offers solutions to regenerative fashion.
We plan to organise seminars, panel discussions, and workshops in collaboration with regional organisations and educational institutions beyond Budapest. These events will bring together experts, designers, and youth workers to expand the reach and impact of sustainable fashion education. If you want to be part of making the EduPlatform come to life, you are welcome to support us with a donation on WhyDonate. You can find the link here: https://whydonate.com/hu/fundraising/global-sustainable-fashion-week-eduplatform
Educating yourself can look different for everyone. It might happen at home through reading and listening or through connecting with communities, attending events, or joining activist groups. There is no single path, but every journey starts with learning.
As Gabriella Mányiné dr. Walek, President of the National Fashion League Hungary Association and Founding President of GSFW, emphasises:
“Education must be given priority in the fashion industry, as knowledge is the most essential tool for real change.”
And we couldn’t agree more.