Ms. Ananya Tiwari, Post-Graduate Academic Scholar in Fashion Management, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ministry of Textiles, Daman campus
Dr Vidhu Sekhar P, Assistant Professor, Department of Fashion Management Studies, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ministry of Textiles, Daman campus
Abstract
This article summarizes the informative webinar that the National Institute for Sustainable Textile Innovations (NISTI) held on May 3, 2025, titled “Fashion for a Sustainable Future — Exploring Innovation, Sustainability, and Impact in the Fashion World.” Prominent educator and design management strategist Prof. (Dr.) Darlie O. Koshy led the session. Under the direction of my professor, Dr. Vidhu Sekhar P., I was able to attend the webinar as a Fashion Management student at NIFT. I asked Dr. Koshy during the session what knowledge and abilities are necessary to pursue a career in sustainability in the fashion industry. His response emphasized several important areas of focus, such as knowledge of fibre and fabric, eco-design procedures, technological literacy, and online shopping. This article goes into further detail about those observations and how they serve as a guide for students hoping to make a significant and long-lasting contribution to the fashion industry’s transformation.
Keywords
Sustainability, Fashion Management, Dr. Darlie O Koshy, Eco-Design, Fibres and Fabrics, Technology in Fashion, Fashion Education, Virtual Retail, Fashion Innovation, NISTI Webinar
Introduction
As environmental issues, overproduction, and resource scarcity take centre stage in international discussions, the fashion industry is undergoing a significant transition toward sustainability. Although glamour and expression have long been associated with fashion, responsibility, creativity, and purpose are now redefining it. As a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) student studying fashion management, I’ve always been interested in how aspiring professionals like me can play a significant role in bringing about change in this revolutionary time.
My Question to Dr. Darlie O Koshy
“What are the fundamental skills and knowledge areas I should focus on as a Fashion Management student hoping to build a career in sustainability within the fashion industry?” was the question I posed during the interactive portion.
Dr. Koshy’s answer was precise, targeted, and extremely pertinent to the state of fashion today and in the future. He focused on four main areas:
thorough understanding of textiles and fibres:
- Proficiency with eco-designing procedures.
- Fluency with technology, particularly in digital platforms and artificial intelligence.
- Knowledge of online shopping and online consumer behaviour.
- Based on his response and the more general topics covered in the webinar, a more thorough examination of each of these crucial areas is provided below.
- Understanding Fibres and Fabrics: Sustainability begins at the material level, the speaker underlined. Fashion workers need to become well-versed in the characteristics, origins, and lifecycle effects of fibres. Knowing the environmental impact and recyclability of materials is essential, regardless of whether they are made of organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, or more recent substitutes like Piñatex and Mylo. The first step in lessening the environmental impact of fashion is material innovation. Future professionals can also evaluate material sustainability more successfully if they are familiar with certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
- Learning Eco-Designing Processes: Eco-design is now essential, not optional. The expert urged educational institutions to incorporate these procedures into their curricula and urged students to investigate ideas like lifecycle assessment, modular clothing, circular design, and zero-waste pattern making. Digital prototyping tools like Adobe Illustrator and CLO3D can increase design efficiency and cut down on waste. Examples from the real world include companies like Raeburn and Eileen Fisher, which have established standards for long-term, repairable, and reusable design. Getting practical experience with sustainable design principles gives students a big advantage.
- Developing Technological Knowledge: The speaker underlined how important it is for fashion professionals to be tech-savvy. Fashion production, marketing, and consumption are being transformed by blockchain, augmented reality (AR), data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). Brands can reduce waste and overproduction by using AI to forecast trends, optimize stock levels, and provide hyper-personalized recommendations. Blockchain guarantees transparency and traceability, enhancing the credibility of sustainable claims. In the digital-first fashion era, a student who is proficient with digital tools will be better able to spearhead change.
- Exploring Virtual Retail and Consumer Experience: The expert emphasized the importance of knowing how customers shop virtually in a world that is becoming more and more reliant on e-commerce and digital interfaces. Retail is being revolutionized by AR/VR technologies, virtual try-ons, and immersive showrooms. This also means that sustainable brands can reduce sample production and the footprint of their physical stores. The problem of mass overproduction is also addressed by virtual retail models like digital customization and made-to-order. Future professionals must learn how to design and oversee digital fashion integration, as companies like Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger are already setting the standard.
Conclusion
More than just a lesson, the webinar with Prof. (Dr.) Darlie O. Koshy served as a road map for those of us who want to use sustainability to have a significant influence in the fashion industry. His response to my query shed light on the complex nature of sustainable careers, which call for a harmony of technological proficiency, creative innovation, consumer insight, and material knowledge. It also emphasized how academic institutions must adapt their curricula to meet these new demands. It is our responsibility as the industry’s future leaders to be prepared, knowledgeable, and dedicated as fashion enters a new era where ethics and innovation must coexist. My career goals in sustainable fashion will continue to be influenced and inspired by Dr. Koshy’s advice.
