Keywords: Hacktivism, Anti-capitalist, Recycling, Glocal Production, Education

Abstract

The fashion industry has reached a crux. A point of no return from which it will either plunge us into darkness or lead the light towards a better future.  The current capitalist growth model on which it is built needs to be brought down, reformed and given back to the people and planet from whom it has so greedily plundered and pillaged. Elitist, nepotistic, and discriminatory practices need to be rooted out at all levels and exposed for the lies that they are. These propositions have grown out of 30 years as an active practitioner in the production of fashion and as an academic who career, whilst built on a theory and knowledge of sustainable development, has spanned many disciplines most notably fashion design. It has left me without stability, monetary value or sense of recognition but a solid theoretical and practical perspective from which to view not only the external face of fashion but also its underbelly.  If fashion education is to have meaning it needs to adapt more readily to changing societal forces. It needs to have relevance and alternatives. It needs to challenge the status quo rather than bowing down to its demands. This paper will explore these issues as they relate to the dogged pursuit of embedding recycling fashion practices not just within a social/commercial context but also within educational and academic practices. It will draw on relevant and current papers as well as research by the author within the field of sustainable fashion design.