Upcycling and the Circular Economy: Ghanaian Creative Solutions to Global Textile Waste
Explore the environmental impact of fast fashion in Ghana and discover localised solutions to a global issue.
539 enrolled on this course
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Upcycling and the Circular Economy: Ghanaian Creative Solutions to Global Textile Waste
Learn to create collective change with Ghanaian creatives at THE REVIVAL
Almost three-quarters of all textile waste is incinerated or sent to landfill.
On this two-week course, you’ll discover the global impact of fast fashion. You’ll explore how THE REVIVAL, a collective of Ghanaian creatives, are using artistic ingenuity to resolve textile waste challenges in their community and use this as inspiration to create your own localised solutions.
Investigate a global perspective of circular economy
In the UK alone, over a million tonnes of clothing ends up as waste.
You’ll examine what happens to waste textiles and how a circular economy can transform fashion waste by generating jobs, reducing inequality, and minimising the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
Using real-world case studies to contextualise your learning, you’ll be able to develop your own approach to conscious fashion and take responsibility for your fashion choices.
Explore upcycling culture and develop creative upcycling ideas
You’ll learn practical tips for upcycling, discovering how community level actions impact global fashion consumption.
Sharing your ideas, you’ll engage with other learners, developing upcycling ideas and projects with an ethical purpose.
Develop an understanding of sustainable fashion using ethnographic research
The work of THE REVIVAL is extensively featured in the Eileen Fisher Foundation & Pentatonic Textile Waste Crisis report (launching 6th July).
You’ll learn about their ethnographic, creative approach to creating change and its wider implications for fashion sustainability and global textile waste.
By the end of this course, you’ll understand circular economies as a response to global textile waste. You’ll be equipped with the knowledge to develop a community of changemakers and inspired to upcycle fashion into one of a kind treasures.
Syllabus
Week 1
Who is a circular economy for?
Who is a circular economy for?
Who is the circular economy for? Why should it matter to you?
Where do your clothes go? Introducing Ghana's textile waste problem
By the end of this activity, you will be better able to define the cultural, economic, and environmental impacts of fast fashion and foreign "fashion aid/textile donations" in Ghana.
Recognize the relevance of the Ghanaian perspective in the debate on the circular economy
By the end of this activity, you will be better able to recognize the relevance of the Ghanaian perspective in the debate on the circular economy.
Introduction to upcycling culture: local solutions for global problems
By the end of this activity, you will be better able to explore how contemporary visual art and upcycling can create positive fashion action around the globe.
Week 2
Upcycling for Transformation
Introducing upcycling culture with THE REVIVAL
You’ve already learned some impressive ideas, skills and techniques for becoming a leading changemaker yourself. You are on your way to becoming an upcycling culture detective!
How to design fashion that can make a difference
By the end of this activity, you will be better able to explore how upcycling textile waste can positively impact communities.
How to become a fashion researcher in your community
By the end of this activity, you will be better able to evaluate the concept of ‘ethnography’ and story-based research powered by communities, for communities.
What does it mean to build a legacy?
Debate how global collaboration is important for the circular economy debate and that we all have an important job to do to protect people and nature.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Apply contemporary visual arts and upcycling culture as a tool to shape popular consciousness and foster positive fashion action around the globe
- Describe the cultural, economic and environmental impacts of fast fashion and foreign "fashion aid/textile donations" in Ghana
- Explore how THE REVIVAL built a global, textile waste enterprise through organic, digital collaboration and trust
- Living-the-data: introduction to concept of ‘ethnography’ and story-based research powered by communities, for communities
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in fashion and sustainability. It is particularly suited to creatives, professionals in the fashion industry, and environmental activists.
Who will you learn with?
Creative social entrepreneur tackling social and environmental issues through art, education and entrepreneurship in Ghana and across Africa. @therevival.earth
Sissi is the Founder of The Hopenclass with
a 10 year-experience learning, unlearning, researching, & teaching critical fashion studies, business and innovation around the world at post-graduate level.
Award-winning environmental activist, sustainability consultant, educator, artist and author since 2008. Certified in Circular Economies and Sustainable Business by Cambridge Business School.
Art and fashion enthusiast addressing global textile waste issues from a Ghanaian perspective through art, conscious design, education and entrepreneurship.
Digital anthropologist, user researcher, writer and creator. Founder of Flowers Consults and proud board member of THE REVIVAL.
Who developed the course?
The Hopenclass
The Hopenclass is a cultural and creative space to (un)learn. Our global think tank stands at the intersection of Culture and Academia. We explore interdisciplinary subjects from entertainment, to business, sustainability and art, and how these influence humanity. The Hopenclass values emotional intelligence and soft skills over IQ, and the real world agrees with us.
The Revival
THE REVIVAL is a community-led sustainable design non-profit educating, creating awareness, art, and jobs with upcycled global textile waste coming to Ghana.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $99/one-off payment | $27.99 For the first two months. Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 21 Dec 2023 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$27.99
For the first two months. Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$99/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 21 Dec 2023
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
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