Institution: Fashion Institute of Technology
Location: New York, United States, North America Focus Area:The College’s combined strength in Design, Science, and Business & Technology allows FIT to focus on innovations that support circularity with a holistic view of the entire fashion value chain
Expertise: Material Science, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Merchandising, Production Management, Fashion Design, Technical Design, Advanced Media Technology and Innovation
Key Projects:
Teaching & Learning
The Graduate MPS Program in Global Fashion Management promotes sustainable principles within a circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature.. Responsible practices are a growing concern in the industry and the curriculum examines the ways in which new demands influence the shift from traditional industry practices, including greater investment in locally made products, improved production technology, and heightened awareness of waste and untenable consumer demand. The programme takes place in four cities: The Chelsea neighbourhood of New York City at The Fashion Institute of Technology; Paris, at the Institut Français de la Mode; Hong Kong, at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Centro in Mexico City. Find out more.
The Summer Institute at FIT: Sustainability & Textiles: Held biennially, a four-day series of lectures, discussions, panels, and hands on workshops focusing on sustainability and technology in fashion and textiles. This interdisciplinary programme is designed for industry professionals as well as academics wishing to broaden their understanding of sustainability and how to support its integration into the industry. The institute is important for designers, technologists, educators, and those involved in the development or production of fashion and textiles, as well as those seeking greater business and professional knowledge. Find out more.
Sustainable Design Entrepreneurs: This non-credit programme gives design entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, and access to resources they need to build a viable business based on sustainable design practices. Learn more.
Sustainability across the curriculum: FIT's greening of the curriculum is reflected in a series of initiatives that include a variety of discipline-based courses focused on sustainability and faculty initiatives to promote the greening of the curriculum. Learn more. Teaching modules and courses incorporating the circular economy and topic areas relating to the circular economy are addressed across seven different departments, faculties or programmes. From Ecology and the Built Environment (ID472) and Sustainable Packaging (PK431), to Designing with Emerging Materials (Interdisciplinary) (SC-204) and The True Cost: A Products Life Cycle and the Science of Sustainability (SC-202).
Student initiatives, learning beyond the classroom
The Innovation Center: The DTech Lab sits at the centre of the college’s academic programmes and attracts expert faculty and talented, smart students that are committed to having a positive impact on the world. As a key component of The Innovation Center at FIT, the DTech Lab bridges the academic world and industry. The Lab’s position outside any individual academic programme creates an open and collaborative environment that leverages FIT’s combined strength in design, science, business and technology, and enhances knowledge through experience while looking to solve industry problems with design and technology. Learn more.
The Biodesign Challenge: FIT student teams have competed in the challenge every year since it began in 2016, and won the competition in its first year, creating an innovative, sustainable fibre out of algae. Since then, FIT students and advisors have broken new ground in the fields of biomaterials, synthetic biology, and sustainable textiles.
Student contests and industry-sponsored projects reinforce the essential and historic connection between industry and FIT. Through FIT’s key business and design connections, these opportunities also provide students with real-world challenges working alongside industry leaders and allows them to present their work to audiences beyond campus. (Find out more upcoming contests and other industry-partnership opportunities).
Research
In 2018, FIT joined forces with Stony Brook College of Engineering and Applied Sciences to explore the convergence of design and engineering in several research projects. These projects have included research focused on: the development of materials that could selectively absorb and repel water and different oils, muslin waste fibre that breaks down into feedstock, and wearable electronics, analysing energy storage devices that can be embedded in textiles. Learn more.
AlgiKnit, Inc. integrates science and design into textile production, and was developed by a team of students guided by FIT Professors Asta Skocir and Theanne Schiros. It began in 2016 as a start-up that developed a sustainable usable yarn out of algae. Today, AlgiKnit is creating durable yet rapidly biodegradable yarns in an effort to provide an alternative to the ecological damage caused by the fashion industry. Learn more.
Community engagement & campus management
The FIT Sustainability Council was established by the president to develop and foster sustainability initiatives throughout the FIT community. Each year the council organises and hosts a business and design conference on campus. The council also offers and manages an annual grant fund of USD 15,000 to support creative and innovative campus sustainability initiatives, such as the Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference: Innovation to Impact. In 2019, nearly 1,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the general public attended FIT’s 13th Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference.
Natural Dye Garden FIT’s Natural Dye Garden was created on a FIT rooftop in 2014 as part of a student project presented to the Clinton Global Initiative University. The plants— including sunflowers, coreopsis, and marigolds —can provide nontoxic fabric dyes and are used in campus textile research. Incorporating compostingcompostingMicrobial breakdown of organic matter in the presence of oxygen., the Dye Garden promotes more circular and eco-friendly dyeing practices and related research.
Sustainable Design: Home A resource created especially for the design community to encourage critical thinking and responsible acts on social, environmental, and economic dimensions of our global society. The guide compiled by the FIT Gladys Marcus Library is an aid in the research of products and processes toward the objective of sustainable design.
In addition to greening the curriculum, FIT are also greening their campus through multiple energy projects and practices on site, including a recycling programme fully implemented in all buildings (recycling construction metals, wood, plastic, paper, print cartridges, electronics, refrigerant, lamps, concrete). FIT also succeeded in reducing their carbon footprint by 55% seven years ahead of schedule, as part of the Mayor’s Carbon Challenge for New York City colleges.
Connect with:
sustainability@fitnyc.edu
Find out more:
The Circular Economy and Faculty Innovation
Learn more about the range of research & the faculty at FIT addressing sustainable textiles and design.
FIT Newsroom, ‘Professor James Mendolia Talks Sustainability Education, Smart Innovation’
In 2018, FIT was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts ArtWorks grant for “NEW SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: How Materials Advance Innovation,” a three-part seminar series and two-day public conference. (Project co-directors, Dr. Karen Pearson, professor of Science and Math, and Joanne Arbuckle, deputy to the president for Industry Partnerships and Collaborative Programs).
Sustainable Design Club: The club provides a platform for sustainable design education and development of an environmentally conscious community. For information, contact Sus_Design@fitnyc.edu or find out more.
Student start-up, ‘Algiknit’, wins National Geographic Award.
