A Holistic Introduction to Sustainable Fashion - online

Become part of the movement towards greater ecological integrity and social justice in the fashion industry in this first of a kind offering at CERES. 

The course commences on Thursday the 6th of May and will finish on Thursday the 10th of June. It will be delivered fully online with six 2 hour zoom sessions. 

Global voices weaving the international sustainable fashion narrative.

This course will open our eyes and provide the insight, understanding and practical tools required to collectively improve upon what is currently one of the most unsustainable and damaging sectors globally.  

Course facilitator and trainer Katarina Molin Mota will lead the narrative, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in sustainable fashion. Kat will be joined by industry experts from around the world sharing their personal experiences in addressing the whole system of fashion. This means striving to improve every step in the process, from the livelihoods of cotton farmers in India to the conditions of workers in factories, the polluting impact of dye and colour, the financial system in which fashion is embedded and our culture of consumerism.  Guest speakers discuss their own life journeys in establishing globally-recognised brands and what it means to become a leader in the movement towards a more sustainable global fashion industry. An incredible opportunity to hear from an amazing network of passionate people committed to improving the fashion world, one garment at a time. 

In addition to theories about the industry and real-world examples,  the course will weave in an element of self-reflection and connection providing the opportunity to take a look at our personal relationship with what we wear, as a means of creative expression and as a basic human need.  We are all part of this complex supply chain. What kind of relationship do we want to consciously have with it? 

Sometimes solutions can become idyllic and farfetched, leading to a sense of despair and burn out. We will explore all of these issues and how we can centre ourselves in the sustainable fashion movement with practical tools and tips on what we can implement into our daily lives. 

The course aims to build a community with sustainable fashion as its connecting point. We hope the group created will live long after the course has finished. We encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas to grow from the union of interests, purpose and intention those coming to this course will bring. 

Who is this course for?

Anyone with a desire to create a positive impact in the world through what we wear. As well as, fashion students, professionals, makers, crafters, fashion and sustainability enthusiasts. 

Course outcomes 

CERES School of Nature and Climate focus is connecting to peoples’ hearts, sharing knowledge to empower their minds, and teaching applied skills they can implement with their hands.

Head

• Knowledge and skills required to steer the fashion industry towards sustainability
• Understanding of possibilities for system change on a personal and industrial level

Heart

• Greater clarity on personal gifts for  positive spheres of creation
• A deeper understanding of self and purpose through personal reflections and insights

Hands

• Practical tools and tips to make changes, starting with ourselves
• The means to centre ourselves in the sustainable fashion movement through living more consciously 
• Joining a network of passionate people making changes in the world
• Opportunities for collaboration with fellow students

Sessions details

Zoom sessions: Thursdays 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (AEST/Melbourne Time) from 6th May to 10th June

Plus weekly activities and discussions

1. Introduction to Sustainable Fashion

Holistic introduction to all things Sustainable Fashion -  consumption issues, environmental challenges, technology, forecast for change, ethics and science.

2. Global consumption and the business of fashion

Discussions on sustainable business - size vs scale. How do we live within our means? What is doughnut economics?

3. Best practice and raising the bar

What can sustainable Fashion really look like? What does a sustainable garment look like? We’ll explore end-to-end sustainable fashion, setting the bar high and how as individuals, business owners and consumers, we can strive to achieve greatness.

4. Farming for Fashion - Organic Cotton Farming in India

We'll look at environmental tolls and opportunities, water requirements, and the tragedy of the pesticide trap. We'll be joined by guest speakers from the field to discuss the reality of workers' rights, and how we can aid in creating value for farmers in the supply chain.

5. The Global movement, hope for the future

The birth of sustainable fashion, the movement, the challenge. As we all begin to reflect on our unsustainable ways, we are called to create the road map to a more sustainable future. Will we be able to affect global change before it’s too late?

6. Recap, reflection, future steps

Learning pathways and where to from here, employment in the green economy, changing our ways, keeping the passion alive!

Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation (upon completion of at least 75% of the course) and CERES School of Nature and Climate micro-credential badge/s.

Trainer Bio

Katarina Molin Mota

Katerina's father owned a textile production factory in Portugal and her Swedish mother is a fashion designer, so she grew up in the midst of textiles, garment production and fashion collections. Her parents met whilst discussing shirt hems! It was also in this environment that she was first exposed to production shifts from Portugal to other countries with cheaper labour and shorter lead times.

Katerina spent three eye-opening years buying for a leading global fashion brand. Here,  she felt very conflicted, as her growing passion for sustainable fashion was defined by her own morals and values, but her role had opened up her eyes to the vast scale of fast fashion in a globalised world.

Katerina is the fearless leader of the Sustainable Fashion in India trip which is part of CERES Global. Her passion for everything sustainable fashion is unparalleled - she is currently completing her Masters in the Netherlands in Practice Held in Common, focusing on Alternative Education Methodologies and Visual Arts related to Sustainable Fashion. She continuously explores what sustainable living means to her, from a holistic point of view and in her daily practice. She is also the Founder of Green Tag Film, a documentary project focused on the true nature of sustainability and its challenges and opportunities.

We look forward to having you join us on this exciting journey to introduce you to and pique your interest in the world of sustainable fashion. Be the change you want to see in the world!