Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Eda Sanchez-Persampieri, Assistant Professor Jeanine Polizzi, and graduate student Savannah Foley, along with Marie Segares, Associate Professor at Champlain College and Katja Schroeder, Senior Lecturer and Associate Director of the Technology Management Program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, will be presenting at the International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD).
The conference will take place September 19 - 21. According to its website, the ICSD "provides a forum for academia, government, civil society, UN agencies, and the private sector to come together to share practical solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."
Says Dr. Sanchez-Persampieri, “In recognizing the fashion industry as a significant global polluter, our paper explores the potential of artistic and visual strategies to drive sustainability. The integration of creative visuals—such as virtual and augmented reality experiences, interactive digital campaigns, fashion shows, infographics, and QR codes—can enhance the dissemination of sustainability knowledge and inspire transformative actions among key stakeholders in the fashion industry.”
The paper begins with an overview of the shift towards sustainability-minded fashion business models and introduces the concept of stakeholder engagement. It then delves into artistic and visual strategies within the fashion industry, followed by a rapid literature review on sustainability and creative expression. This review identifies current tools and media used by the fashion industry to communicate sustainability effectively.
The findings suggest that visual communication plays a role in bridging the gap between complex sustainability concepts and stakeholder understanding.
According to Polizzi, “By leveraging the inherent creativity of the fashion industry, visual tools can make sustainability issues more accessible and engaging, thus fostering a participatory approach to sustainability.”
The paper concludes with recommendations for innovative visual instruments tailored to the fashion industry and highlights future research needs.
Foley, who is currently a student in LIM’s master’s program in Global Fashion Supply Chain Management, notes, “By using the power of visual storytelling, the fashion industry can lead in promoting a culture of sustainability, reflecting its global influence and creative strengths.”
Recent curricular changes to LIM master’s degree programs include a focus on inclusiveness and sustainability, with Dr. Sanchez-Persampieri noting that, “Many course projects now require students to consider the implications of the relevant SDGs and to align those with the projects' solutions.”
