Skip to main content
Pedagogy and Professional Development

Fashion Entrepreneurs as Sustainability Advocates: Student Learning Perspectives

Authors
  • Song-yi Youn (University of Missouri)
  • Joohye Hwang (Thomas Jefferson University)
  • Nadine Osborne (University of Missouri)
  • Angelo DiProspero (Thomas Jefferson University)

Abstract

The study aims to deepen students' insights into business decisions for sustainability advocates of fashion entrepreneurs. Based on Situation-Based Learning, students were tasked with simulating the launch of a sustainable product line for fashion start-ups. Bloom’s Taxonomy framework was adopted to analyze learning outcomes across three stages: problem recognition (describing sustainability issues in fashion), problem identification (exploring challenges for start-ups), and knowledge application (developing communication and marketing strategies). A latent content analysis based on student interviews identified the following for problem recognition: quantity-driven industry, lack of transparency, sustainability being expensive, and lack of regulation and knowledge. For identifying problems, themes included start-to-end sustainable messaging, adapting to sustainable consumer trends, environmental concern, and fulfilling sustainability standards. Regarding knowledge application, three strategies—utilizing social media, targeting and engaging, and influencer marketing—were identified. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding real-world sustainability challenges and understanding the gap between sustainable and business goals. 

Keywords: fashion entrepreneurs, sustainability, situation-based-learning, marketing strategies

How to Cite:

Youn, S., Hwang, J., Osborne, N. & DiProspero, A., (2025) “Fashion Entrepreneurs as Sustainability Advocates: Student Learning Perspectives”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18695

Downloads:
Download PDF
View PDF

61 Views

15 Downloads

Published on
2025-01-17

Peer Reviewed