The Fashion industry
sustainability in fashion
Final paper
Sustainability in Fashion taught me an overview of sustainability issues in textile and apparel and an understanding of the role and impact of the apparel supply chain on the global economy, environment, and society. Throughout the semester, we evaluated various companies for their sustainability ratings in business practices in all realms of their product development. For measurement of these corporate practices, we utilized websites like KnowTheChain, a resource for companies and investors to understand and address forced labor risks within their global supply chains. In our Final Paper, my group and I performed a research study on methods one could use to eliminate bonded labor in the cotton apparel industry. Although many companies have made strides to eliminate forced labor from their supply chains, bonded labor continues to be a large issue in the global apparel industry, especially with the continued high demand for quick, mass production. In our paper, we discuss three proposed solutions to the issue: a "Slave Free" initiative, influencer and celebrity promotion, and a TCU educational campaign. We then discussed 8 action steps we could take to make our preferred solution a reality. This course helped me to understand the various issues pertaining to sustainability in the fashion industry and how I can help hold companies accountable for their practices.