When you look up the definition of ethical fashion, you will find that it encompasses many areas in the fashion industry. It includes looking at design, production, retail, purchasing and considers a range of issues like working conditions, exploitation, fair trade, sustainable production, the environment, and animal welfare. Ethical fashion is centered around the garment workers themselves and how every process impacts them. While many brands have fostered fair working conditions in the fashion industry, in order to be a truly ethical company, they must consider every phase of the design and development process and the impact it makes. Why do we need Ethical Fashion? It’s no secret that the mistreatment of garment workers, such as sexual harassment and child labor, is common in this industry. With the majority of manufacturing companies outsourcing to the Global South, the garment workers (made up of 85% women) are vulnerable to unfair conditions. With lax labor laws that allow low pay, unhealthy working conditions, and extremely long hours, brands have an easier time exploiting these workers. Having awareness of where your clothes came from and who made them is a great way to support ethical fashion. To stop unfair labor practices from happening and protect the rights of these workers, we need to think about our purchases and the brands we are supporting. By being mindful of where we get our clothes, we can positively affect the entire production of garments and those involved in the process. How can you support Ethical Fashion? When purchasing clothing, do you think about the people and the processes behind them? Do you think about the treatment of everyone involved in creating each item you purchase? Most likely, you trust the brands you know and assume they are doing what is right. Being aware of how, where, and by whom our clothing is made is not something we are taught. Here are ways you can support ethical fashion and start making a change. Educate Yourself - Do your research about brands and their processes. Learn about things like greenwashing and find out if a product/brand really is ethical or are they just using trendy words to come off eco-friendly. Before you go shopping or click “Buy Now”, do your homework. Feel like really making a change? Encourage the brands you love that are not following ethical guidelines to start making the change themselves. Get yourself the Goodonyou App and check out the brand before you make that purchase. Limit Your Shopping - Don’t just buy because it feels good. Look at what you already have in your closet and try out fun new ways to style items. Consider swapping clothes with friends or family members as a way to get new clothing. Only Shop Ethical - If you must get clothes, support brands that follow true ethical practices. Consider shopping second-hand at your local resale and thrift stores or online at shops like Poshmark and ThredUp. Again check out Goodonyou where you can find many brands in the Ethical Fashion space. Supporting ethical fashion will make a difference- it will help us reduce fashion's impact on the environment and on these workers. Educating yourself, sharing your knowledge with others, and making small changes each time you buy clothing or trade brings us one step closer to having a more ethical fashion industry. What are some of our current Favs? Personally, finding capsule wardrobes that are easy to mix-and-match are my favorites! It makes dressing in the morning easy, and traveling is a breeze when you have a couple of pieces you can throw in your suitcase and still look polished. Cool Weave Capsule from ADAY ADAY's Cool Weave Capsule is a 5 piece set designed to capture the natural cool and elegance of wind. Cool Weave is powered by brrr° – a fiber that is Oeko-Tex and Global Recycle Standard certified, chemical free and provides an instant and continuous cooling sensation that won’t fade or wash out. This innovative fabric is 80% cooler than comparable fabrics, with superior moisture wicking, drying and UPF 50+ properties. Vetta is another great brand to build your Ethical Capsule Wardrobe Fashion should be fun! it can be positive! And you can make a difference simply by making thoughtful purchases and having awareness of the brands you support. Thanks for reading today and supporting ethical fashion brands! Have a favorite brand you want to share? Send us a note: design@insidefashiondesign.net

Burak Cakmak was appointed the Dean of the School of Fashion at the Parsons School of Design in 2016. His prior experiences in the world of academia include teaching at the SKEMA Business School in France and China, helping establish the education program at the Swarovski Waterschool Initiative, and creating scholarships at Parsons and Central Saint Martins. However, before stepping into his position as Dean, Burak’s career was mainly in leading social responsibility and sustainability strategies for industry giants including Gap, Gucci, Stella McCartney, and the Swarovski Group. The Parsons School of Design, The New School I had the pleasure of chatting with Burak about the Fashion Design programs offered at Parsons, what makes them unique, and what the admissions team looks for in an application. Burak Cakmak / Instagram The Parsons School of Design offers a variety of academic programs in Fashion Design at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as continuing education and pre-college nondegree programs. I asked Burak if most applicants are coming directly from high school, and he replied “There is every walk of life. We are seeing even lawyers and doctors coming in for two-year degrees.” Burak also wanted me to know that fashion students at Parsons are in a unique position, in that they have access to many other academic programs in many other fields of study. “It is one of the few schools that allows you to do a duel-degree, so some of our most successful students end up doing Psychology and Fashion, Politics and Fashion – that brings a very different perspective on the world, as well as what it means to be a designer.” Burak Cakmak / Instagram Yet another element that makes the Fashion Design programs at Parsons unique is Burak’s insight into the sustainability issues currently facing the fashion industry. He explained, “With my background, I try to push what sustainability means within the curriculum in a new way.” He went on to say, of fashion designers graduating from Parsons, “they shouldn’t be thinking about just fitting into the existing structure, but question it, and try to build new models that’s going to address this from the bottom up.” Burak claimed that those new designers need to ask themselves the following questions: “What are you creating, who are you creating it for, and do you need to create it at all?” When applying for competitive higher education programs, many students feel pressure to complete internship experiences beforehand. However, Burak thinks applicants should prioritize showing their creativity through their portfolios and the Parsons Challenge above racking up internships. Instead, students will complete internships while at Parsons – which Burak says puts them ahead of European students, who traditionally intern only after they’ve graduated. Burak Cakmak / Instagram Internship experiences that students gain during their studies expose them to the business side of the fashion industry, and can provide them with a network of industry professionals. Burak told me, “I have bachelor program graduates that sometimes do up to seven internships in four years – which is very ambitious, but it makes a huge difference in understanding different players, and also what kind of a role they want play in different businesses.” If you’re preparing to apply to a Fashion Design program at Parsons, and you do have the opportunity to gain internship experience in the fashion industry, by all means go for it! However, if you don’t have the time or ability, don’t fret. According to Burak, “It’s more than anything what you put in your portfolio that’s going to matter – but having extra knowledge is never going to hurt you.” Barak Cakmak at The Fashion Tech Forum, NYC I wanted to dig a little deeper on the topic of portfolios, and asked Burak what having a “well-rounded portfolio” meant to him. He explained, “It’s not about how well you sketch, and it’s not about how well you sew. It’s more about your critical thinking that we’re looking at. More than any time in the past, we are looking at critical thinkers to come into the role of fashion designer, because the fashion industry is changing so much. When you graduate, you need to be able to look at how to evolve the industry beyond the ability of constructing a garment.” Another element of creating a portfolio, as a designer, is the ability to speak about your own work. I realize that often times, it may be difficult for students to find the words to communicate about their pieces, process, and inspiration. Burak’s words of advice were, “Ultimately, it comes down to authenticity,” and, “there’s no one way of telling your story, it’s just being true is what matters.” Finally, I asked Burak a question that will confront all future Fashion Design students at Parsons: What to wear to your interview? His answer was, “Especially in a creative setting, I think you want to make sure that you shine, versus you shy away from showing your personality.” Essentially, what you wear to your interview is a great opportunity to say more about yourself, and your creative voice, without words. Burak added, “That voice is so critical, that uniqueness matters in fashion more than anything else. It’s good to be able to take that out in the most innovative way as possible, rather than trying to fit in. Just have fun with it!” Thank you Burak for sharing your time and words of advice! You can learn more about the Fashion Design programs offered at Parsons via this link.

‘From ocean waves to mossy mountains, Milan runways to Manhattan alleys’ – We had the pleasure of connecting with the worldly and creative, Stefan Russell, who has worked for some of the most recognized brands in the world, including Benetton, Dolce & Gabbana, Rollerblade,Original Penguin, and Nike. Stefan Russell Stefan has had many impressive roles, including Creative Director at 4ocean, a purpose-driven business that cleans the world’s ocean and coastlines while working to stop the inflow of plastic by changing consumption habits. Unlike many other environmentally-focused companies, 4ocean isn’t a nonprofit, and they believe in creating sustainable business solutions to achieve their goals. We asked Stefan about his fascinating background, and what a typical day is like as Creative Director. Read on to learn more about his life, and what an average day is like running and overseeing the creative production of all digital and image assets in his work. IFD: To begin; can you tell us about where you grew up and your education path – Did you know what you wanted to do when you picked your major study? Stefan: To start off, I’m a “military brat” and grew up in several places, including my birth city of Bangkok, Thailand. My father is a retired US Navy Captain, and my mother has a degree in teaching and biology. So, I can’t really claim a hometown, but after living in Northern California, Virginia, Florida, and Alabama, I came to a rolling stop in Northern Virginia, just outside DC. In elementary and high school, I was heavily influenced by 80s album cover lettering and design, and I had an affinity for art and drawing that developed into a love of graphic arts, magazine layouts, and hand-lettering. I knew I wanted to study something art-related in my senior year of high school, but my goal was to attend a liberal arts state school for a more rounded educational experience and to be in a new state. My plans of attending the University of Arizona fell through because of cost limitations, so at the last second (at the suggestion of my art teacher, Mr. Dave Evelyn) I applied to the College of Art at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. At the time it was the highest-rated public university program in graphic design. The first year of the Art Foundation (AFO) was the most grueling time of my life, but I passed with honors and was accepted into the School of Communication Arts and Design in the Fall of 1988. IFD: You worked abroad reasonably early on in your career and you speak a few languages – Was that a goal for you, and how did you go about getting jobs overseas? Stefan: The summer of my Freshman year at college, I did an internship at an advertising agency in Zurich. My objective in my last year of college was to learn a second language so fluently that I would never forget it. I studied 4 years of French in high school, and am half-German. I kept my options open to what language that would be, and luckily, the first opportunity came through a high school friend who suggested I apply to work at an International School in Italy. My first year of college in the Art Foundation program came in handy in the application process, and I was selected to be an Art Teacher at the International School of Trieste. But yikes! I had never taught anything to anyone before, so I enlisted my old art teachers from Lake Braddock Secondary in Fairfax, Va to help me out, as well as new friends who were already working at the school. This was one of those mental adventures! I taught art to 1st – 6th graders for two years, and low and behold, I had learned Italian fluently. It helped me to choose to be roommates with only Italians! I went back to the States for the summer, saved up some money, and went back to Italy to look for work and stay with friends I had met while working as a teacher. This became one of the most challenging years of my life as I struggled to live and find work in Rome. So many opportunities, but so few of them wanted to pay me a lira! Finally, I caught a breakthrough through a contact I’d made in Zurich and interviewed at Benetton in Milan. I was now a senior graphic designer at United Colors of Benetton and moved to Treviso, Italy. IFD: What advice would you give someone who would like to work internationally? Stefan: Start with a dream and make it a goal. Be open to every opportunity to learn and follow your instincts. Be curious about the world, its people, and its languages, and you will fall into another country by default. And don’t get discouraged!! I went through many international scholarship applications! Stefan Russell / Nike Swim IFD: Tell us about your job as Lead Creative at Nike Swim, and can you give us some behind-the-scenes snapshot of what that job entailed? Stefan: As the lead creative for the brand Nike Swim, I worked for Perry Ellis International (PEI) for about 11 years (for those of you that don’t know, a PEI is the license-holder for all production and marketing for Nike Swim). I progressed from Senior Graphic Designer to Senior Creative Director during the time I was with Nike Swim and was responsible for all image and video content. This included creating the marketing campaigns for the performance swim and sport swim categories, and working closely with the international license division at Nike HQ in Portland, Oregon. Besides the conceptualization and production of every Nike Swim shoot around the country, and in Mexico, my greatest reward was in taking Nike Swim to a global licensing agreement in 2015. IFD: You have worked across different markets, from teaching to apparel to purpose-driven ocean plastic clean-up – What are some of the typical skill sets, and some of the significant differences that you had to learn and adjust to fit each role? Stefan: Typical skill sets between careers in fashion and plastic-awareness are: – Being laser-focused on quality – Self-drive and the ability to make up the rules if you have to – Open-mindedness to ideas from others, both internally and with partners – A super-strong desire for exploration – Being hungry for the education of all kinds to stay abreast of trends, software, and creative strategy To navigate the worlds of high-fashion and sports apparel, you have to be comfortable looking and play the part, even when you don’t know anything about that “part.” For example, in high-fashion womenswear, I had to study the market and dive into the fashion scene in Milan. That came with a lot of nerves for a boy with very little fashion sense himself! Same with performance skiwear at Nordica – I had to imagine the speed of hurling down an icy mountain and what it would take to turn that feeling into an ad. Being a chameleon of sorts and drawing on my sense of adventure really helped! Believe me, I’d rather skydive than be able to feel confident at a Milan fashion show for Dolce&Gabbana! IFD: Now that you have worked in different markets and positions, are you finding you have a favorite category or preference, and why? Stefan: My favorite category would be a physical and mental adventure. I love being out on location, the more remote, the better! I also love being challenged mentally and sometimes arriving at new and uncharted territory through change and growth. Learning something new can sometimes be the most excellent adventure of all! IFD: You also taught for a while – Did teaching play a role/impact/influence your current work? What skills from education help you in your creative positions? Stefan: Teaching reminded me to be hands-on and tactile. Even designing on computers and with digital programs – There is value to the creative inspiration that happens from using your hands. And patience was critical to my teaching. This too would later help me become a better creative professional. I was also reminded of the immense joy that comes from seeing through the eyes of children. The idea that everything can be new is something that is all too often lost on adults. IFD: What was your most impactful learning/position/experience along the way? Stefan: The most impactful learning experience was going to non-Western places, and not only the language but the whole concept of world history was different. My first trip to Japan was phenomenal to me because it represented an education to a completely different way of visual thinking and representation. Turkey was my first historically Muslim country, and this taught me to see the progression of western culture differently. Morocco was another place where assumptions about history, art, and culture were all upended. IFD: Did you have any mentors along the way? How did they teach/guide/influence you? Stefan: Most of my major professional influencers came from my instructors at VCU. They were leaders in their disciplines of design, art, and visual theory and taught me skills that I still use daily. Rob Carter and Ben-Day were two of my most memorable instructors. At Benetton, Oliviero Toscani taught me the power of exact execution of photography, and Massimo Vignelli reminded me of the values of aesthetics and alignments as being innate to good design. And, Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce taught me that creativity in any form can uplift and please the soul. IFD: Can you give us your top 5 skills needed to become a successful creative director? And any advice on how to hone those skills? Stefan: The most persuasive skills that make an excellent creative director are: Active listening, finding positivity even when it’s difficult, a strong desire for teamwork, the ability to express creative ideas clearly, and always having a reason for creative decision making. The top-5 skills needed to be a successful creative director are: – Having multi-disciplinary talents in design, copy, art, video, architecture, and music – Marketing and organizational savvy – A fervent desire to make and create newness – A fiery personal drive to always put creativity above everything else – Willingness and openness to change Search out opportunities that challenge your comfort zone, and say “yes” to a great chance, even before you’ve given it too much thought. The reality of the adventure will catch up with the unknown. IFD: What did you find most challenging in some of your past positions? Stefan: Managing the expectations of a young team of designers. With so many projects going on, I had to be both a design mentor as well as someone who can get things done quickly and efficiently – all with maintaining the highest quality of work. IFD: What were some of your primary responsibilities? Stefan: I was in charge of the look and feel for design, photography, and most digital assets. My direction includes overseeing all web, social media, print, email, tradeshow, packaging, and video graphic content. IFD: Any advice for students, or young professionals who want to get into a creative director-type role? Stefan: Be patient and pay your dues. Work at as many different creative roles as you can. Don’t settle for the expectations that “jr.” leads to “sr.” leads to Art Director leads to Creative Director. Learn about art, make art! Learn about design by experiencing it! Learn about copy and photography by working on projects that develop those skills. Don’t expect things to be handed to you, and especially don’t stay in one place! IFD: What advice would you give to your younger self? Stefan: I would advise my younger self on two things: – Learn a trade, like plumbing, bartending, or construction. – Travel more, and as often as you can. Thank you Stefan for all your time in sharing your journey, your words of wisdom your passion for creative work, Visit 4Ocean.com to learn more and purchase your own bracelet to help support the cause

Written by Contributing Author, Courtney Rosenfeld Virtually none of the world's leading fashion brands and stores became successful overnight. To build a business in the fashion industry, you must follow a detailed business plan and position yourself for slow and steady growth. Sure, you can expect a bit of trial and error, but it essentially comes down to strategy. If you are new to entrepreneurship and hope to launch a company out of your passion, it’s essential to learn business basics and make intelligent decisions in the coming months and years. Below are some practical tips to help you do just that: 1. Find a Market Need First, you must research the market to make sure your business idea will meet a need. Otherwise, you will struggle to bring your profit no matter how well you operate your business. Say, for example, you’re opening a local clothing shop. What type of clothes do people in your community want and are unable to get anywhere else? Are your main products unique enough to attract consumers if you are launching a clothing line? Customer Journey Map from https://www.techtarget.com/searchcustomerexperience/definition/customer-journey-map 2. Find Your Audience Once you identify a clothing store or item that could succeed, you need to find your target market of consumers. You can curate the most impressive clothing collection ever or develop a groundbreaking shirt design, but if you have no potential customers in line, it won't do you much good. Break consumers into location, age, background, interests, and other characteristics . Then, create a few target customer profiles that will help you develop a sound marketing strategy. 3. Make a Business Plan Your business plan will serve as a roadmap for your entire entrepreneurial journey in the fashion industry. You must clarify your ultimate goal, whether that is to operate an independent boutique, online accessory store , or specialty clothing line. Then, you need to write a document that details your mission statement, core values, target market, marketing strategy, funding requirements, financial projections, product descriptions, and more. The more thorough your business plan is, the better guidance it will provide down the road. 4. Start Planning a Marketing Strategy It's never too soon to start thinking about how you will market your products or services to consumers. As soon as you have an idea of what type of fashion business you want to launch and the customers you will target, start putting together a marketing strategy. Developing your brand and creating your website should be top priorities. But you will also want to think of how you will promote your brand and drive traffic to your site. For instance, now would be a great time to learn how to create a Facebook ad since it is a cost-effective method of advertising and building an online presence. 5. Create Your Brand When it comes to building a brand, you should prepare to play the long game. It will take time to establish a reputation and encourage consumers to trust your company. With that said, it starts by choosing a brand name and creating an attractive logo. Then, you need to select typography, brand colors, graphics, a writing style, and other elements that will help your business stand out. Make sure all your branding components are consistent with the tone and purpose you wish to convey. 6. Prepare for the Launch Lastly, it's time to get ready to launch your fashion business. If you are a designer, revisit and refine your designs to ensure they are ready for the market. The key is to never stop designing new things and improving on those that exist. If you are opening a store, start determining price points for your items and finding manufacturers and suppliers that align with your goals and values. Then, you’ll be ready to handle the administrative, legal, and financial steps of launching a business. There’s nothing like running a business in line with your passion. But to set yourself up for success will require you to diligently prepare and plan. As you develop your strategy for launching, keep in mind that you’re committing to the long game. And relish in the experience, knowledge, and skills you acquire along the way! Have you joined our community yet? It's a great place to network, reach out to industry professionals, and learn something new. J oin IFD Connect for free here! We love hearing from our readers; Have a feature you would like to recommend? RECOMMEND A FEATURE STORY Want to be a featured maker or brand? SEND AN INQUIRY Curious about aedvertising with us?Hr H e H r e SUBMIT AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES

Written by Contributing writer; Courtney Rosenfeld. Courtney started Gig Spark to be a resource and the first step for people who are looking to join the gig economy, either to supplement their income or as a way to fulfill their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur." Although February is known for Valentine’s Day, it’s also known as the Month of Love. There are many ways you can enjoy the Month of Love, whether you’re single or in a committed relationship. You might put the focus on your best friends, or simply set aside some time for self-care and making sure your needs are met. After all, loving yourself is very important. Think about the best ways to practice self-care this year and get started this month! Spend some quality time … with yourself We all need a little break now and then to focus on ourselves, so why not make February a time to take care of your needs? Head to a local spa and get a pedicure, or spend the night in with your favorite movie and snacks. Go on a shopping trip and update your wardrobe; treat yourself! You can also participate in some quiet time; start a journal, read a good book, walk through the park, or spend an hour or two at a bookstore and grab a coffee afterwards. Pretend you’re on a date with yourself and make an effort to enjoy your time alone. Feel better The Month of Love can often bring about feelings of anxiety and stress, so it’s important to help yourself feel better. If you’re looking to shake off those feelings, you might want to consider CBD oil. Elite Daily cites research that shows it helps reduce anxiety and stress, so it might be a great natural way to boost your mood. CBD oil has no psychoactive effects, meaning you won’t feel “high,” but it’s best to do some research to find out whether it’s right for you. Cook for yourself Many people don’t often cook a nice meal for themselves because it’s so much easier to opt for quick and easy or takeout. Take the time to create a delicious, healthy, decadent meal for yourself. Shop for fresh ingredients, incorporate things you love or have always wanted to try, and make a dessert you can revel in afterwards. Making time to cook a fantastic meal for yourself can boost your self-esteem and will help you see your own value at the same time. Try something new If you’re stuck in a rut, doing the day thing day in and day out, it may be time to try something a little different. Head to an art museum, take a class, or head to a pottery shop to make your own pieces. Doing something you’ve always wanted to try -- and being creative at the same time -- can help boost your mood and your self-confidence, according to Psychology Today. You may even want to give your lifestyle an upgrade. Change is hard, but it can also bring big rewards. Maybe it's time to earn that degree you've been putting off. Studies have shown that attaining a college degree results in better health. Now’s a great time to pursue studies online, which has benefits of its own, including flexibility in how and when you take coursework. Plus, the return on the dollar is enticing; business degree graduates from Western Governors University, for example, report an ROI ranging from 202 to 267 percent. Looking for some quick & impactful design learning opportunities? These short classes offer many options including hands on, ethical business, zero waste design methods, ethical sourcing, how to work with artisans and more.... Check out the class listing here February can be a lot of fun for everyone; you just have to know where to start. Think about ways to make your day the best it can be, and focus on making yourself happy. With a good plan and a little preparation, your Month of Love will be one to remember. Thank you Courtney for your helpful tips! We love hearing from our readers; Have a feature you would like to recommend? RECOMMEND A FEATURE STORY Want to be a featured maker or brand? SEND AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about advertising with us? SUBMIT AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES

Hello ifd Reader! Thinking about going to school for design? Looking to learn what your options are? Check out our comprehensive list with links for easy access to research. Have you attended one of these schools personally? Share with us your educational experience...we would love to gain more insights we can share with our readers. Download your free copy below

What is Conscious Design? How can we as designers and apparel professionals incorporate conscious design thinking and methods into our everyday work, process, and overall philosophy? Come and meet industry leaders to spark a conversation around what Conscious design means to them. They will share their backgrounds and what upcoming classes they will be offering through IFD Connect. Come and get to know us at our official IFD workshop series kick-off- and participate in conversations around this important topic. To attend for free, create your profile at IFD Connect at www.insider.insidefashiondesign.com