Fashion Values: Society

Fashion and society are deeply intertwined through everyday actions, behaviours and business models, and can be both empowering and exploitative. On this course from London College of Fashion's Centre for Sustainable Fashion, you’ll explore how fashion can paradoxically be a force for societal good, creating agency, collaboration, dignity and distinction between people, or a cause and perpetuator of injustice. Social injustice in and through fashion is experienced widely and can perpetuate inequality and exploitation. By the end of this course you’ll understand how activism can be used to challenge this and be inspired by intersectional perspectives from activists around the world, learning from historical and contemporary case studies and resources. You’ll explore the process of change in relation to fashion and society, exploring various models that provide ways of thinking, feeling or working towards change. You’ll learn about where power lies to create change and to challenge social injustice in fashion. You’ll examine many approaches to and models of activism, as well as the importance of resilience. Use design thinking to develop fashion activities and behaviours that contribute to social justice You’ll be supported through the design thinking process to define a specific problem and generate ideas in response to the question: ‘How will we use fashion activism to challenge social injustice?’

• Explore activism and social justice from global and historical views
• Practice design thinking to develop effective social fashion activism
• Understand fashion’s complex role in social distinction and injustice

• Basic computer and internet skills
• Ability to understand course instructions and complete activities in English