Kering & Parsons introduce sustainable design course

As part of the collaboration, Kering has introduced new modules to Parsons fashion programme and embedded practical lessons in sustainability into the Parsons curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to study the EP&L methodology, which measures and monetises the environmental impacts from business activities across the entire supply chain.

Thesis projects of the students will subsequently be evaluated and scored on both design and sustainability criteria. The top ten students will be given unparalleled exposure for their designs in an exclusive Design Exhibition hosted by Kering and Parsons, following the course.

Students will learn to integrate sustainability from the very start of the design process by evaluating and comparing various materials and understanding how their choices influence the extent of the environmental impacts from sourcing to manufacturing via My EP&L. The app is an easy way for design students and the fashion industry to visualise the environmental impact of a product, right from raw material extraction to sales.

“My EP&L illustrates the power of EP&L analysis and will assist fashion designers to easily calculate better options in real time in order to embed sustainability into their products at the very beginning of the design phase. As part of our ongoing commitment to advocate the importance of sustainability with the next generation entering our industry, we are excited to expand our Parsons collaboration with a view to sharing My EP&L with further educational institutions following the pilot,” said Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability officer and head of international institutional affairs at Kering.

My EP&L App users can choose raw materials used in jackets, shoes, rings and handbags and find out where these are sourced from and manufactured. In each category, the environmental impacts from carbon emissions, water use, water and air pollution, waste production and land use changes are analysed to calculate a product’s final impact. The app can also be used to determine comparatively better options to create sustainable designs.

“We are excited to collaborate with Kering on this important initiative for our students. Sustainability education is vital for our students, and with Kering’s help, Parsons will be educating the next generation of fashion industry leaders who can create powerful change,” said Burak Cakmak, dean of fashion at Parsons School of Design.

Parsons will offer the Kering modules to students in three senior Systems & Society thesis sections and two Materiality thesis sections. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India