Sustainability approaches in fashion design education: a comparative study

OpenAlex English

Sustainability in fashion design has become a central concern in higher education, driven by the industry’s environmental and social impacts. This comparative study examines how sustainability is taught and perceived in the fashion design departments of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Employing a two-phase case study design, the research analysed responses from 38 academics and 273 students through thematic analysis of interviews and questionnaires. The findings reveal a notable divergence: Turkish programmes integrate sustainability into their curricula, with a strong emphasis on eco-friendly materials and production processes. In contrast, in Azerbaijan, sustainability is not formally embedded within the fashion design curriculum, representing a nascent area of focus for students and educators alike. The study underscores distinct educational approaches and proposes that enhanced practical training and cross-border collaboration could strengthen sustainability education. These insights offer guidance for curriculum developers and policymakers to advance sustainability-driven fashion education in emerging and transitional higher education contexts.