A course for a good cause
Collarts leads the charge with Australia’s first Fashion and Sustainability degree that will future proof careers and help transform the industry
Australians can now be fully equipped to create a more sustainable fashion future thanks to Australia’s very first fashion sustainability focussed degree by dynamic independent tertiary education college, Collarts (Australian College of the Arts).
Continually at the forefront of contemporary culture with a strong reputation for delivering high quality tertiary education, Collarts has created the country’s first and only Fashion and Sustainability design degree that will give students a considerable edge in the industry.
Led by industry expert and academic, Dr Rachel Matthews, the course will help students get an in-depth understanding of emerging global fashion practices, design, sustainability, and gain knowledge and experience in fashion enterprise, styling, ethical responsibility and zero waste techniques and technologies.
Originally from London, Dr Matthews is trained in fashion at Central Saint Martin’s and Winchester School of Art before beginning her career in the UK. She has worked as a designer for companies such as Whistles, John Lewis and Next as well as creating fashion visuals for Elle, Brides and Fashion Forecast magazines.
Throughout her career she has been involved in fashion education holding academic positions at Chelsea College of Art and Middlesex University in the UK. In Australia, she has had multiple roles in fashion education and currently heads up Fashion at Collarts.
She said the modern fashion consumer is changing and there is a growing demand for sustainability when it comes to fashion. There is an increasing appetite for more ethically and responsibly produced clothing that will only continue to grow, so too the need for professionals specifically trained in those fields.
“Fashion consumers want to feel good about the clothes they put on their backs. As a result, the industry is having to change the way it has done things previously. Not only is this helping to create a greener planet, but it’s also creating a whole new job market,” Dr Matthews said.
As the industry moves into a more sustainable future, the Collarts Fashion and Sustainability degree will ensure aspiring fashion leaders are well equipped and trained for the new types of careers. Students will learn everything from the very beginnings of fibres and fabrics, the design process and extending the life of a fashion product to marketing, retail and new business models, that reflect how the current model is shifting.
“Currently, there’s no other course like it being offered in Australia. It’s an exciting and immersive course that’s perfect for people wanting to shape the future of the industry. Students will learn how to create desirable fashion with a focus on sustainable, responsible and ethical consumption,” Dr Matthews said.
“It’s a smart investment, particularly high school leavers, and it’s the perfect opportunity for those that are interested in fashion to prepare themselves for the future of our industry.”
“A rise in jobs in the sustainability sector is already happening and this will only continue to grow. Consumers will be demanding more transparency around how brands are operating, so the need for professionals to manage green policies and sustainable supply chains while maintaining the integrity of the brand will be crucial in the years to come,” she said.
“This is the best course for students with an interest in fashion who want the best possible start in their careers,” said Dean of Collarts, Ben O’Hara.
“With Dr Matthews leading the charge, students can expect an innovative program that will give you the qualifications and head start you need in the workforce. We offer real life industry experiences so that students are career-ready when they graduate. They also have opportunities to apply their studies by partaking in sought-after internships and hands-on experience at major events like Melbourne Fashion Week, Ego Expo and more,” Mr O’Hara said.
Collarts offers an immersive education that allows students to graduate with a Bachelor of Design – Fashion and Sustainability (two years full time or four years part time study) or Diploma of Design – Fashion and Sustainability (two trimesters full time study).
Intake commences 28 January 2020. Collarts does not have subject prerequisites and does not require a minimum ATAR rank.
For more information, visit www.collarts.com.au.
Public Relations Agency Melbourne contact:
Jackie Smiles
03 9092 8449
jackie@flourishpr.com