About the Course
Week 1: What is Sustainability?
Principles of sustainability and systems thinking
Environmental and social justice
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN
Interlinkages between fashion and other industries
Week 2: Sustainable Decision-Making in Fashion
Identifying sustainability in the supply chain
Greenwashing vs transparency
Introduction to circularity
Case study: Two brands
Downloadable essay prompt + discussion
Week 3: Communication for Change
Role of communication in sustainability
Creating campaigns, graphics, and short videos
How to build sustainable brand identity and collateral
Week 4: Reflection & Peer Presentation
Peer review and feedback
Final discussion
Presentation of sustainable fashion ideas
Exploring contributions to green and blue economies
Week 5: Designing for the Planet
Environmental racism in fashion
Personal responsibility & design ethics
Sustainable practices in fashion production
Understanding and decoding carbon footprint
Week 6: Leadership & Policy
Overview of fashion-related sustainability policies
Building regenerative supply chains
Policy gaps and design-led change
Sustainable business model frameworks
Week 7: Brand Strategy & Positioning
Case Study 1: Ready-to-Wear brand
Case Study 2: Artisanal/Courtyard model
Design philosophy, branding, and customer profiles
Strategic marketing & competitive positioning
Week 8: Mentorship & Planning
One-on-one or group mentorship
Peer reviews of brand or career strategy
Business plan feedback
Final reflection and pathway forward
Week 9: Material Innovation & Future Fabrics
New material science in fashion
Regenerative materials and biomaterials
Engagement with UNEP, UN SDGs, and the World Bank
Guest speaker: UN Environment Program
Week 10: Policy & Governance
UN policies on energy, water, land, and fashion's impact
How to align creative work with global sustainability agendas
Guest speaker: United Nations SDG representative
Week 11: Climate Action & Finance
Fashion’s role in climate change and mitigation
Systems thinking and global economies
Guest speaker: The World Bank
Week 12: Final Presentation & Business Pitch
Sustainable business plan presentations
Career guidance, pitch refinement, and feedback
Project showcase for UN and public-facing initiatives
Your Instructor
Runa Ray
Runa Ray is a Fashion Environmentalist and interdisciplinary designer who uses fashion to advocate for policy change and educate on sustainability. Her work with the United Nations and IUCN integrates nature-based solutions and design intelligence to address climate change and environmental justice.
Specializing in algae-based textiles, circularity, and the revival of indigenous techniques, she transforms waste into fashion while fostering collaborations across industries. As an advocate for CO2 reduction and sustainable practices, Runa guides SMEs in creating impact-driven solutions for the future of fashion.
Runa leads the Global Peace Flag initiative, The world's largest art movement, endorsed by the United Nations that transcends borders to unite humanity through collective support for peace, addressing climate action, social justice, and environmental justice.
A featured speaker at the United Nations and columnist for leading platforms like the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Connect4Climate at the World Bank, she combines her knowledge with exhibitions that have gained global recognition. She also hosts 'Fashion Stories' on iHeartRadio, highlighting women change-makers in fashion from the Global South Asian community.
Explore her book, 'Fashion for Social and Environmental Justice', to learn more about her mission to unite fashion with activism.