Sustainable Fashion School
Become A Sustainability Expert and Transform Your Role In The Fashion Industry
Are you building a sustainability department at a fashion brand? Chasing the sustainability job in a fashion company, or building your own sustainable fashion brand? If so, this is the information you’ll need to understand where we’ve been, where we are, and where the industry is going. PS The conversation is only getting more complex while the expectations are put higher and higher.
(I know you're thinking this)
This is a step-by-step guide to learning what you need to know about sustainability, the triple bottom line, and how it applies to the fashion and apparel industry.
Fills the gap between the “science stuff,” the “social stuff,” and the “business stuff” - all specifically in the apparel industry - and from here on out, referred to as The Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit).
Is based off of a 3-semester certificate program I developed for Orange Coast College.
Is also based on my 24 years of general apparel industry experience (so I know if/where/how these concepts can be integrated into your business).
Sticks to a proven learning system.
College-Level Sustainability Instructor & Brand Consultant
Derek Sabori
Great question! It was the very question I asked myself (and still do) when I started my journey.
I don’t know why sustainability, responsibility, ethics, and good humanism aren’t taught as core elements of fashion and business programs; they should be.
My teaching approach blends science, responsibility, ethics, business, and good sense into one, all while focusing on the three factors we need to consider when talking about sustainability: The environment, us people, our economy.
That’s the Triple Bottom Line. You’ll learn the words, the phrases, the concepts, the best books, the most respected, resources, the biggest challenges, the best approaches, and more.
Understand the sustainability language that’s used in professional, academic, and social articles
Help contribute to your company’s sustainability program (or help build one)
Better critique the sustainability claims of brands that are marketing to you
Make more conscious purchasing decisions (personally & professionally)
Confidently enter the modern, conscious economy and/or classroom
A Proven Learning System Developed by an Industry Professional
$850.00
One-Time Payment
3 x $307.00
Monthly Payment Plan
This is the sustainable fashion program that I always wished existed. I built the curriculum from the ground up, with complete video trainings, an online community, and detailed resources so you get both the information and the support that you need.
A Message From Derek
Welcome to Sustainable Fashion School at The School of Understanding (Read this first!)
Before We Begin...
And One More Thing...
Video Lecture 01 - The Concepts
Chapter 1 - Supplemental Learning
Lecture #1 Quiz - Test Your Understanding
Lecture #1 - PDF w/Links
Your Homework: Read The Ecology of Commerce Intro + Ch 1
Video Lecture 02 - The History
Chapter 2 - Supplemental Learning
Lecture #2 Quiz - Test Your Understanding
Lecture #2 - PDF w/Links
Your Homework: Read The Ecology of Commerce Ch 2
Video Lecture #3 - Top Environmental Concerns
Lecture #3 PDF w/ Links
Lecture #3 Quiz - Test Your Understanding
Video Lecture #4 - Top Social Concerns + Topics
Lecture #4 PDF w/Links
Lecture #4 Quiz - Test Your Understanding
Your Homework: Read The Ecology of Commerce Ch 3
Video Lecture #5 - Life Cycle Thinking
Lecture #5 PDF w/Links
Lecture #5 Quiz - Test Your Understanding
Video Lecture #6 - Life Cycle Impacts
Lecture #6 PDF w/Links
Lecture #6 Quiz - Test Your Understanding
Your Homework: Read The Ecology of Commerce Ch 4
Video Lecture #7 - Reporting & Assessing Sustainability
Lecture #7 - PDF w/Links
Lecture #7 Quiz - Assess Your Knowledge
Video Lecture #8 - Rankings & Consumer Sentiment
Lecture #8 - PDF w/Links
Lecture #8 Quiz - Assess Your Knowledge
Your Homework: Read The Ecology of Commerce Ch 5-6
Video Lecture #9 - Part 1 of 2 - Nonprofits & Certifications And The Role They Play
Video Lecture #9 - Part 2 of 2 - Nonprofits & Certifications And The Role They Play
Lecture #9 PDF w/Links
Your Homework: To Read The Ecology of Commerce Ch 7-8
Thank You For Completing The Course! Before You Go...
A Proven Learning System Developed by an Industry Professional
$850.00
One-Time Payment
3 x $307.00
Monthly Payment Plan
And when it comes to the apparel, footwear and fashion industry, sustainability can feel overwhelming and complex; and that’s because it is.
It’s a fast-moving, ever-changing, complex industry with sustainability expectations becoming higher and higher. This course is designed for those who want to be a part of it.
I’ve spent nearly 25 years in the apparel industry, and more than 13 of those studying and working in sustainability, specifically. I’ve created sustainability departments, programs, roadmaps, strategies, and task forces, and landed the job as a VP of Global Sustainability.
I’ve worked with some of the most respected names in fashion and sportswear, have built a sustainable fashion certificate program for a California college, and co-founded, a lifestyle apparel brand dedicated to mindfulness and sustainability.
Learn what it took for me to do all that with my proven learning method at The School of Understanding.
I haven’t had a dissatisfied student yet! But, I don’t want you to feel like you’re locked into something that’s not for you. I know this is an investment, so if within 48 hrs, you’re not fully excited about the content, just shoot me a note at [email protected] and we’ll give you a full refund.
True, you might be able to, but it might take you just as long as it took me :) That is, I’ve been gathering this information over the last 10+ years as my interest in the topic progressed, as I worked with world class brand leaders and sustainability experts, attended conference after conference, researched to develop, roll out, and teach a 3-semester college certificate program, and fine tuned my craft of teaching and consulting over the years. You can do it, yes, but consider this your fast-track to the knowledge.
That’s a reasonable question :) I’ve been around the surf/action sports & apparel industry since 1996. I worked for Volcom for 19 years and under Kering’s sustainability team’s guidance for 5 years. I've worked with the Boardriders Group, P.J. Salvage, Electric, Stance, Roark, Sambazon, and others. I’ve traveled the world meeting with industry groups like Textile Exchange, Cotton Connect, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and the Outdoor Industry Assocation’s Sustainability Working Group (now known as Climate Action Corps), and have made many friends and connections doing so.
Yes. I developed this course because I felt that something like it was missing. Consider this a course at the crossroads of brand marketing, sustainability science, biology, chemistry, sociology, compliance, history, and environmental management. I want you to know enough to talk with sustainability leaders at the best brands, as well as your CMO, as well as the Executive Director at an NGO, while explaining it all to a customer on the retail floor. I’ve had to do all of these things, so I know what it takes and I made this course so you could do the same.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything - so, here’s your first 20 :) But seriously, think of this like a commitment to enroll in a semester at college (1 course). You’ll spend a good 2-hours a week in my lectures + another 1-2 hours a week on supplemental readings, watching videos, etc. Do that for 1.5 months, and you’ll be at a totally new level of sustainability knowledge and understanding in the apparel industry when you’re done. You’ll be ready to build that department, create strategies, apply for the job, or launch that brand!
The course is available for 450 days after purchase. The reason? You will want to keep your learning fresh and current AND it's important to me that you don't buy this and sit on it. I need you to dive in and learn the content!
Shoot me a note at [email protected] and let's start a chat to clear any questions up.
A Proven Learning System Developed by an Industry Professional
$850.00
One-Time Payment
3 x $307.00
Monthly Payment Plan