To help solve the problem of fashion pollution, a Makati-based school has incorporated in its curriculum the concept of environmental mindfulness.
Recognizing that the problem of fashion pollution is deeply-rooted to the production of clothes and the manner people are discarding them, iACADEMY tweaked its Fashion Design and Technology Program to ensure that the curriculum does not only follows the current trends in the industry but also focuses on this goal of preserving the environment.
“The bottomline of the problem is sustainability,” iACADEMY Fashion Design and Technology Program Chair Eli Gonzales said.
In order to solve this problem, Gonzales underscored the need to realize that Environmental Mindfulness is not just a trend that must be followed in the fashion industry but the solution itself that people should embrace.
“Fashion should not just be about the glitz and glamour but also about making a bold statement in saving Earth,” Gonzales added.
The concept of “environmental mindfulness” is taught to all students of the program of the school. These are also instilled in their projects and lectures. iACADEMY aims not only to create competent fashion designers but also to deliver game changers in the industry by being environmentally mindful of their works.
The Fashion Design and Technology Program of iACADEMY follows an industry aligned curriculum with five elective subjects that zeroes in on changes and trends of the fashion industry.
The program consists of subjects to tackle different theories and applications of fashion.
In line with the Environmental Mindfulness as part of its curriculum, the Fashion Design and Technology Program of iACADEMY has launched several exhibits and events to promote its message.
The program has collaborated with Fashion Revolution to promote lessening the carbon footprint of the fashion industry. The program has also partnered with the Miss Earth Organization to promote environmental awareness and care.
Meanwhile, Vice President for Academic Affairs Cecilia Sy said part of iACADEMY’s goal is to “deliver game changers” that will create a positive impact to the world.
“Having said that, we are dedicated to creating and building our curriculum to include ideals that will better solve and deliver us from different world problems,” Sy added.
A study of Greenpeace.org shows that 58 percent of the Philippines’ groundwater is contaminated - 21 percent of which comes from the textile manufacturing industry. The UN Environment Program also noted that the fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of all carbon emissions.