The fashion industry and Erasmus university share more than just a complex nature; we both possess a wealth of knowledge about the fashion and textile world. By uniting our strengths and working together on multiple levels, we can strive for a future of more durable fashion and textiles, improved social policies at primary brands, and enhanced transparency and reliable advertising. This potential for collaboration is not just promising; it’s the path to a brighter future.
Fashion transition needs new regulations and academic knowledge
The challenges in the fashion and textile industry are huge and very complex. It is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The European Commission calls for change. The introduction of new regulations in the coming years will significantly impact the industry. With numerous value chains intertwined, changing one element will inevitably influence other parts of the chain. So, it is very challenging to drive for a positive change toward a Just Fashion Transition. This transition requires knowledge of consumer markets, consumer behaviour, transition knowledge, sustainable business models, (fair) pricing, production chains, innovation, ecosystems, and more. And it is exactly this knowledge that our academics can provide.
Transdisciplinary research on fashion sustainability
Combining the knowledge of our societal partners and the strength of our multiple scientific disciplines will create an approach that might be the answer to today’s societal issues. With our shared knowledge, we can derive a holistic and transdisciplinary research and action agenda—an agenda by which we— fashion businesses, sustainability advocates, citizens and academics alike —can join forces and tackle the complex problems of the Just Fashion Transition together. As EUR we support the research on fashion sustainability. The importance and impact of education and research in our society are huge. In the complex world of fashion and textiles, mapping global developments is crucial to fully understand and effectively address the industry’s challenges.
Magazine Just fashion transition
In the summer of 2024 EUR organised a conference and published a magazine with interviews with academic gamechangers, insights from the industry and a lot of facts about the fashion industry and how to change it.