Sustainable Fashion: Eco Exhibit
Lacey Jo Braun
Redefining, Redesigning Fashion: Designs for Sustainability is the current exhibit on display in the Goldstein Museum of Design gallery in McNeal Hall of the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus. This exhibit features fashion designs from students and professionals that have a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Never before has fashion been so disposable. This places a heavy burden on the industry to quickly adapt and evolve with little thought to environmental consequences. Consumers want fast fashion and they want more next season.
The focus of the exhibit was to start a discussion about the clothing industry and its impact on our environment. How can design play a role in lessening the impact of this industry movement?
There were over 200 submissions for this exhibit from designers across the global. This many submissions equates to a carefully curated selection that exemplifies the cutting edge of sustainable fashion. The garments each tell an individual story, as well as the overarching collective narrative. The collection of garments include digitally printed fabrics, a wedding gown constructed from old table linens, a dress of wood chips, and re-purposed Goodwill finds.
Each piece fits in one or more of the five themes designated for this exhibit: Alternative Construction & Technique, Re-purposed Materials, Valuing Resources, Emotional Connections, and Versatility.
Whether you are an aspiring designer, fashion enthusiast, sustainability advocate, or just a curious observer you will enjoy this collection of one of a kind pieces.
View the entire collection online or stop by the gallery before May 26.
This post is the first in a series about sustainable fashion. Check back throughout the summer a continued exploration into the fashion industry, how to be a wise consumer, and conversations with leaders on the topic.
Year in Review
Lacey Jo Braun
It is that time of year when things start to wind down. After the crescendo of final papers, projects, and tests it is nice to look back on the year and see how far you have come.
This was an exciting year of Sustainability Education. Sustainability Education hosted and participated in several events throughout the year. The highlights reel includes SELF Sustain, Food Day, a visit from Bill McKibben, our Commons gallery opening, the 2013 Sustainability Film Series, the 2013 Sustainability Symposium, and Jelly Before the Jam.
Sustainability Education and IonE sponsored a student organization called Students for Sustainability. If you are interested in joining the group see the Facebook group.
Another exciting project Sustainability Education worked on was an undergraduate course taught by the Institute on the Environment’s Director, Jon Foley.
Our team gained four new members: Madeline Giefer, Sima Sajjadiani, Lacey Jo Braun, and Alireza Asary. We also will be saying good-bye to a two year veteran of the team, Kiley Bastain, who graduated this spring with a degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management.
Make sure to stay in the loop this summer by following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and signing up for our newsletter.
Creating Just and Sustainable Food Systems- Faculty Workshop
Photo: Cedar Creek Ecosystem Reserve
University faculty have the ability to transform how students view sustainability, and can help connect students with opportunities to put it into action. In order to take advantage of this unique potential, the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment will host “Sustainability and Social Action,” a two-day workshop focused on how professors and instructional staff can incorporate the many facets of sustainability both in and out of the classroom to help students promote sustainability in their communities. This year’s workshop will take place on June 17 and 18.
Students can play a major role in the future of sustainability if they have the necessary cross-disciplinary and communication skills. They must understand balance among environmental, economic, and social needs, and be able to combine types of thought including scientific, creative, and systems-based thinking. Faculty can enhance these skills by moving beyond summarizing global challenges to helping students analyze and invent solutions. At this workshop you will explore networks of local experts and contributors to the sustainability movement to find your own way to promote sustainability among students.
The Sustainability and Social Action workshop welcomes faculty who want to integrate sustainability and justice into their curriculum, or create experiential opportunities for students to channel social concern into social action. This is also an opportunity for faculty teaching themes within sustainability, such as renewable energy or food systems, to learn about real-world applications for their subject matter. During the workshop participants will also have time to network and develop ideas for future cooperation.
The workshop will begin at the Gandhi Mahal Indian restaurant in Minneapolis. After a one-hour interactive session with Julia Nerbonne of the Higher Education Consortium of Urban Affairs (HECUA) and Kris Igo of the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Institute, LaDonna Redmond will speak about her work establishing two organic markets and an urban farm staffed by inner-city youth on the South Side of Chicago. Her presentation will be followed by a tour of an urban farm in Minneapolis.
The rest of the workshop will take place at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. After some time to settle in and enjoy the outdoor scenery, everyone will gather for dinner and a bonfire to discuss the ideas presented at the workshop. The following morning will provide more opportunity for reflection with faculty and community partners, as well as presentations by some participants.
The workshop will provide a valuable opportunity for faculty to strengthen their own knowledge of sustainability in a way that helps them inspire students to take action. By learning to combine ways of thinking and hearing from people who have already put solutions into action, faculty can instill in their students a lifetime of commitment to sustainability.
For more information, visit the workshop page.
Written by Madeline Giefer
Jelly Before the Jam Recap
Yesterday was Earth Day.
To celebrate, Sustainability Education joined other environmentally conscious departments and organizations in Coffman Memorial Union for Jelly Before the Jam.
This tabling event allowed attendees to learn about the various ways to get involved with sustainability on campus. In an effort to foster conversation, the event provided participants with a “passport” that required stamps from the different tables in order to receive prizes and food.
Sustainability Education engaged participants through a chalkboard confessions about what sustainability means to them. See the photos on our Facebook page.
It was a fun and successful way to celebrate and spread the word about sustainability.
Corporate Environmental Management Networking Event – April 24th!
The Environmental Sciences, Policy, & Management, Corporate Environmental Management Track is hosting a Network Panel Event tomorrow! All students are welcome to ask questions, network, and learn about the different opportunities in the job market from three recent CEM students:
Jessica P with 3M
Charlotte C with Liesch Associates
Luke N with AmeriCorps
This event is on Wednesday, April 24th from 6:30-8:00 PM in Learning and Environmental Sciences Building Room R-380!
To RSVP or for more information, email: meagh035@umn.edu
