The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Ethical Fashion Initiative launched The Hand of Fashion, a new series of conversations addressing sustainable practices for the fashion industry.

At each lecture, Simone Cipriani, the founder of the Ethical Fashion Initiative, welcomed a special guest (designers, managers and experts in sustainable fashion practices) to discuss and encourage sustainable thinking within the fashion industry and fashion education.

They were taking place at the FIT in New York, the speaker series begins this Autumn and continues through to Spring 2016. The series is free and open to the public. To attend, please register online > www.fitnyc.edu/24883.asp.

The Hand of Fashion kicked off next week with conversations held on Monday 26th October and Thursday 29th October:

Monday, October, 26th titled Sustainability and Fashion: Two Complementary Perspectives

Simone Cipriani and Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of International Institutional Affairs, Kering Group talked about the two different perspectives on the implementation of sustainability in a fashion brand—Kering Group’s environmental profit and loss accounting, and Stella McCartney’s (one of Kering’s brands) collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative, both highlighting the trial and error process that defines how each incorporates sustainable practices.

On Thursday, October 29th titled Sustainable Materials and Artisanship Simone Cipriani and Nina Almeida Braga, Director, Instituto E spoke on high-end fashion is traditionally characterized by its use of precious materials and highly skilled workmanship. New materials and new practices are changing this scenario to include evolved artisanal partnerships that challenge the traditional production supply chain. Instituto E is a research body that is leading the change through promoting innovation in materials and artisanal collaborations.

Early 2016 will be a talk entitled Couture from Africa with Omoyemi Akerele — Founder and Creative director at Lagos Fashion Design Week and Style House Files

We are expectant of this one! It will be on Wednesday, February 24, 6 pm — John E. Reeves Great Hall and looks at how Africa has been identified as the new home of couture by such luminaries as Vogue ItaliaEditor in Chief, Franca Sozzani. Cipriani will discuss couture fashion with Omoyemi Akerele, the creator of the Lagos Fashion Week.

See more here for all future and upcoming talks.

http://www.fitnyc.edu/art-and-design/hand-of-fashion/index.php