student workshops
Student workshops focus on the role of fashion students as future decision makers in the industry and encourage students to consider the potential of the fashion industry to bring about positive change in people’s lives, as well as the negative impact of current industry practices.
Fees:
We run free student workshops if the student workshop takes place on the same day as staff training. From the autumn term 2008, all other FEI student workshops will be charged at £150 per half day plus travel (negotiable). If desired, FEI can facilitate the involvement of guest speakers at these workshops.
Themes include:
1. An introduction to workers’ rights and corporate social responsibility in the fashion industry. (Materials are also available for tutors wishing to introduce these issues to their students themselves – please contact us.) This workshop explores the conditions faced by garment workers. An introduction is provided on the structure of the garment industry, company supply chains and sourcing as well as what can be done to improve working conditions.
2. Initiatives to improve conditions in the industry. What are companies and other organisations doing to improve conditions for workers? What more could be done?
3. Corporate social responsibility. How are companies addressing working conditions in their supply chains? What is good practice? What are the opportunities and limitations of this approach?
4. Impact of buying decisions on workers. Paying low prices to a factory for a garment may mean that it is impossible for workers to be paid a living wage. Putting in a last minute order, or changing a design idea at the last moment, can mean that workers have to work excessive overtime. The impact of buying decisions such as these on workers is explored in this workshop.
5. Role of marketing in an ethical fashion industry. How are companies marketing their approach to corporate social responsibility? What are the pitfalls of this? The workshop also explores the concept of ethical consumerism.
6. Tailored student workshops to meet course or project briefs including for design students.
(Workshops 2 - 6 assume students have prior basic knowledge of workers’ rights and corporate social responsibility)
Back to student/staff training
