Skills and Competencies

Clothing users are well aware of the fashion industry’s dark past. They are environmentally knowledgeable, understanding how industry practice directly impacts the quality of the air, soil, and water necessary for their lives and livelihoods. They are also conscious of the social inequities born of the Industrial Revolution, and they know how to find reliable information about industry practice. These clothing wearers heavily rely on emerging technological tools such as labeling schemes, consumer reports, and social media communities to stay up-to-date on social and environmental issues impacting their quality of life. This requires technological savvy to stay current and skillful with emerging technologies. Politically engaged, clothing users actively articulate what they expect to their local politicians.

For Discussion

1) With what types of actions could consumers take in this scenario to show their political support fair social and environmental conditions?

2) How might fashion itself become a way to communicate that clothing users are ‘in-the-know’?

3) How might the job force require skills necessary to support industry innovation in this scenario?

4) What are potential limitations or drawbacks of people-powered progress toward sustainable fashion consumption?