Ethics and Aesthetics has never been so close, as the most popular Italian Fair Fashion Ambassador, and author of “La Rivoluzione Comincia dal Tuo Armadio” Marina Spadafora, explained to our Ese Milan students, last Wednesday 21st October.

The “Product Development and Stylistic Identity” Masterclass is part of the Ese Milan of the extra-ordinary programme featuring pioneers in their fields, willing to share their experience and knowledge on authenticity, sustainability and inclusion within the fashion and luxury industry.

As a protagonist in Italy and worldwide, it’s been a great honor to have Marina meeting our students in class and virtually for a quite eye-opening presentation of what being sustainable means and how much there still is to be doing, both in terms of production and consumption.

Education is the key to ensure an increasing social responsibility commitment from companies, sustainable products design from creatives and smart consumption from customers.

Social responsibility embraces the whole process: from how people within the company are treated, up to the whole production chain. The way designers choose the fabrics and the future of a garment to eventually become a piece to be recycled or upcycled and not just damaging waste, is determining. A more educated consumer, embracing a culture of a smarter usage of products and clothing can contribute to decrease the amount of waste produced daily.

In particular the Masterclass focused on how a garment could be designed for a less demaging impact on our planet and everyday life, showing the facts behind textile waste and how it impacts the environment and people.More than ever before the choices designers make when designing a garment or planning a production are going through important changes.

A regenerative model is becoming fundamental in this process so that every action we take, can have a positive impact on people and environment.

Young creatives all over the world are applying new techniques to their design process that will transform fashion in a cleaner and more just industry: imagine fabrics made out of grape or orange skins. FAscinating!

Millions of tons of clothing, shoes and textiles are descarded every year causing release of damaging substances in the air, in the waters and in soil eventually getting back to us through the air we breathe, the water and food we eat.

Circular economy applied to the designing of fashion has been approached together with the different methods and applications of circular design.

Interesting case studies have been shared: starting from the Champion Stella McCartney to the latest commitment of Kering and LVMH group or Inditex and HM: groups and brands are on the path to sustainability educating their own customers towards a more sustainable consuption and shopping.

Particularly interesting was the Zero Waste Design a new way of thinking that maximises the use of textile materials and minimises the wastage. The Zero-waste design approach reduces textile waste and demand on natural resources.

Last but not least the Cradle to Cradle philosophy introduction was again another piece of the puzzle aknowleding students with the process of creation that takes the whole lifecycle of an item into account, including sourcing and end of life disposal.

Our students got a very good base from where they can start their journey towards becoming responsible professionals and individuals contributing the shift that is urgently needed in fashion and life.

Learn more about Marina Spadafora here http://www.marinaspadafora.com/