Sustainable Design
Sustainable design principles are part of a core curriculum that focuses on designing for tomorrow. Offering core coursework that explores the eco-friendly, smart design, fashion students also have the option to minor in Sustainability. Sustainable design projects can be seen here.
The department is also the proud founder of the Otis Sustainability Alliance, a group of creative leaders from the fields of fashion, design, art, and higher education who are committed to advancing the environmental, social, educational, and economic dimensions of sustainability through our work as artists, designers, and educators. See Otis Sustainability Alliance.
Fashion Design majors may opt to declare a Sustainability Minor. Please see Minors for more information.
Dr. Cindy J. Lin
Dr. Cindy Lin is co-founder and CEO of HOVE Social Good Intelligence, a technology company that works to connect people to purchasing with purpose and meaningful data, by examining environmental, health and consumer action data together. Before founding HOVE, Dr. Lin worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency for 19 years, where she engaged in international and national water protection projects. On November 14th, 2020, Dr. Lin gave a presentation to Fashion Design students at Otis College, where she addressed the impact of “Fast Fashion” on the environment and how to adopt practices that don’t harm our environmental resources.
Sustainability Alliance
Mission
In 2013, Fashion Design Chair Rosemary Brantley founded the Otis Sustainability Alliance, a group of creative leaders from the fields of fashion, design, art, and higher education who are committed to advancing the environmental, social, educational, and economic dimensions of sustainability through our work as artists, designers, and educators. It was launched with inaugural members Nike, Patagonia, Disney, Eddie Bauer, Quiksilver, and Todd Oldham at the 2013 Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show. In 2014, Under Armour joined the Alliance, and Prairie Underground joined in 2017.
Benefits
- Learn: Share information and engage in dialogue with the Otis community about sustainability practices, and priorities as well as the challenges facing your industry or company.
- Explore: Opportunities abound to make use of Otis students and faculty as a think-tank and testing ground for new ideas, methods, materials, and equipment where creativity, innovation, and environmental concerns merge.
- Collaborate: Help build Otis’ talent-rich pipeline of cutting-edge designers who have the training and vision to create the best products for environmentally-conscious and socially-enlightened consumers.
- Influence: Work together to educate consumers on evolving sustainability issues in fashion, art, and design.
- Lead: Participate in the Otis Sustainability Alliance and put your company at the forefront of environmental education and consumer recognition of sustainability leadership.
For more information contact Jill Zeleznik, Chair, Fashion Design, 310-665-6875.
Sustainable Design Projects
Mentor: Claire Pettibone
Prairie Underground
Direction: Design a collection of innovative, women's bridge suiting separates, grounded in various weight and finishes based on the inspiration "Lunar Eclipse" using sustainable hemp and organic cotton.
Universal - Jurassic Park
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Direction: using the DNA of dinosaurs create a sportswear collection that has texture,
pattern, a laundered and cool vibe for the Jurassic family. One sustainable piece
can be an up-cycled garment to help create something new and unexpected.
AG Jeans First Fitting
