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Learn All About the Triple Bottom Line, Build A Career In Sustainability, and Make a Positive Impact in Fashion.

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.

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I know it’s important, but is it for me?

(I know you're thinking this)

Let’s face it, Sustainability is the main topic on everyone’s mind; especially in the fashion industry. But, what does it even mean? Can it be achieved? Where do we start? What do you need to know? Can you become an expert? The answer to that last question, is a definitive, yes! This course lays out the path for you to do so. And, IMO, everyone - at every role, from the retail floor, to the executive balcony - needs to be well-versed in this language.

Tell Me More...

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.

Taught by Derek Sabori

College-Level Sustainability Instructor & Brand Consultant

Lead Instructor

Derek Sabori

My passion and expertise lie at the intersection where environmental & social sustainability, brands, products, and education collide; especially, apparel and lifestyle goods. I’ve been in the space now for more than 20 years. I cut my chops working in the Design Department at the brand Volcom, and ultimately turned my Merchandising Director position into a VP of Global Sustainability role. I worked under Kering’s sustainability team’s guidance for five years, and have co-founded and built my own Certified B Corp, Kozm; a brand built mindfully, for mindfulness. Most recently, I developed and teach three different Sustainable Fashion courses at Orange Coast College; it’s become a first of its kind certificate program. I've worked with brands like Volcom, Roark, Stance, Billabong, and the Boardriders Group, PJ Salvage, SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturer's Association), and even Sambazon (Acai), and others outside of apparel. Whether you’re working for a brand, a service provider, are a student, a professional, or a conscious consumer looking for advice and guidance, these courses will help you. I'm sure of it.

Why Haven't I Learned This Already?

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.

After taking this online course, you’ll be able to:

  • 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

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A Proven Learning System Developed by an Industry Professional

Course Curriculum

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.

  • 1

    What To Expect

    • A Message From Derek
  • 2

    Welcome To The course!

    • Welcome to Sustainable Fashion School at The School of Understanding (Read this first!)

    • Before We Begin...

    • And One More Thing...
  • 3

    Module 1 - Key Sustainability Concepts

    • 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
  • 4

    Module 2 - The History Of Sustainability

    • 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
  • 5

    Module 3 - The Most Important Environmental And Social Concerns

    • 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
  • 6

    Module 4 - What Is Life Cycle Thinking And Why Is It So Important?

    • 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
  • 7

    Module 5 - How We Measure Sustainability & Why It Matters

    • 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
  • 8

    Module 6 - Sustainability Standards & Certifications

    • 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
  • 9

    Next Steps

    • Thank You For Completing The Course! Before You Go...

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A Proven Learning System Developed by an Industry Professional

Sustainability is about us people, our planet, our communities, our culture, our economy, and our future.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there a money back guarantee?

    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.

  • Why pay for a course like this? I can gather up all I need to know on my own.

    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.

  • But who is Derek? Why should I trust him?

    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.

  • Will this course actually help me get to my goals?

    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 don’t know if I can dedicate that much time to it.

    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!

  • How long do I have access to the course for?

    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!

  • Have a specific question I haven't answered here?

    Shoot me a note at [email protected] and let's start a chat to clear any questions up.

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A Proven Learning System Developed by an Industry Professional