Sustainable Fashion in London: My Study + Intern Abroad Experience

My name is Julie, and I am a costume and clothing designer from Bennington College. An important part of my design coursework revolves around sustainability,
which is why for my semester abroad, I chose the University of Westminster in London.

Europe as a whole has actively promoted the concept of a circular economy since 2015, with new UK legislation asking for all sectors to reduce their carbon emissions by 2050. This European eco-conscious lifestyle has only helped London's sustainable fashion and theater scene grow stronger. In recent years, there have been major shifts to ethical and eco-friendly materials and production, social media campaigns that advocate for transparency and fair labor conditions in the fashion industry, and governmental legislation that more strictly scrutinizes greenwashing and supports consumer protection, supply chain accountability, and recycled fibers.

While in the UK, I have gotten to understand and see these policies and changes from many angles. One way was through attending the University of Westminster’s “What is Fashion” conference in October. The day included events such as a tour of
Westminster’s impressive menswear archive and many panel talks. A few of which circled sustainable themes, such as a presentation that reframed sustainability through a maximalist fashion lens. The speaker emphasized intentional and educated dressing and buying, over the shame and restriction tactics commonly seen in sustainability.

Talking to academics and industry professionals alike at this conference, I began to
understand the demand for change in the fashion industry as a larger challenge, the
hard work of a few, inside and outside the industry, yelling at the companies that find it hard to stop putting profit, expense, and convenience in front of the environment.
Another way I learned about sustainability was more hands-on, through the
Westminster class “London Theatre Studies.”

The class provided the opportunity to see theater productions each week and sometimes get backstage tours of the theaters. This helped me to understand how theater industry professionals are tackling sustainability across all scales of theater, from fringe to the West End. Through research for the class, I found out about so many resources and innovations in sustainable costume design that I will keep in mind as I continue my education and start my professional career.

And the last was through my internship at Revival London, a clothing brand.
While working there, I assisted with events, completed research and analysis, and
constructed garments out of recycled materials. It was very rewarding to be working for a brand that prioritized sustainability first in the creative process. The experience
challenged me to design elevated sustainable pieces for our bespoke clientele, and I
learned about some UK sustainable clothing services and apps you can use to source
pieces and dead stock fabric for upcycling.

A corset I made for my internship

I believe that my experience at my internship was enriched by what I learned in my CIS Abroad’s Working Across Cultures micro-credential. The class helped me to better understand different leadership styles  and the cultural differences between myself and others, so that things ran smoothly.

Having the ability to go abroad to London is a real privilege. The city’s notable sustainability movement provided a rich and multifaceted landscape to learn within. As an artist and an individual, having the opportunity to talk to designers, academics, and creatives across multiple forums allowed me to see sustainability from many interesting perspectives. It helped me understand what could be better in the fashion industry and in theatrical costume design in the U.S. to help it become more sustainable.

I advise future CIS Abroad students to participate in the Working Across
Cultures micro-credential because I believe it sets you up for success not only for your
internship and for taking classes in another country, but also for the workplace and your future.

Blog by Julie Gargiulo, Bennington College

Interested in studying abroad in London? Check out available programs here!