Category "Sustainability"

Back to school sale image $55 off a yearly subscription

UoF’s Back to School Sale: Get Your Own Private Tutor

Think of us as every student’s best-kept secret: your own private fashion tutor, available on demand.

Our mission is your success. Whether you’re a student or teacher at a high school or college—anywhere in the world—and you need support with curriculum development, class projects, or building your portfolio, we’re here for YOU.

Our 13 Different Lesson Disciplines: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced

Access 550+ on-demand video tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, all taught by experienced fashion professors and industry professionals:

Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more
Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more
Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits
Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements
CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design
CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software
Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design
Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design
Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear
Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more
Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

Hurry, our offers expire October 1, 2026. Please note that the student discount promo code can only be used by teachers for their own personal use and not for use in the classroom. For our group subscription rates (5+ people) and to learn more about our free trials, scan the Group QR code above.

And just because we love every single fashionista out there, you don’t need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of our back to school promo, our sale is open to everyone!

University of Fashion Promo code - TUTOR. $55 off a yearly subscription Was $220 now $165. Off expires 10.1.2026

School’s back in session—and so are we!

Think of us as every student’s best-kept secret: your own private fashion tutor, available on demand.

What you get

Access 550+ on-demand video tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, all taught by experienced fashion professors and industry professionals:

Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more
Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more
Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits
Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements
CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design
CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software
Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design
Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design
Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear
Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more
Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

And just because we love every single fashionista out there, you don’t need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of our back to school promo, our sale is open to everyone!

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part Two

This week’s blog continues my two-part series reflecting on what I learned over more than 25 years as a fashion college professor. My career included 17 years teaching at the Fashion Institute of Technology, followed by 3 years as Chair of the Fashion Design department, and later 6 years teaching graduate-level fashion design at the Academy of Art University. Throughout that time, I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry, observing how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In Part One, I focused on helping prospective students understand how to choose and apply to fashion colleges. In Part Two, I shift my focus to fashion educators, offering insight into how they can support students in thriving and creating a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their studies.

Student Insecurities

I still vividly remember my own first day at FIT as a student. Sitting in a class of 200 students selected from a pool of 2,000 applicants, I felt both grateful and overwhelmed. Alongside the excitement came a wave of insecurity: Was I talented enough? Could I keep up with the workload? Had the school made a mistake in accepting me?

That uncertainty quickly eased thanks to my professor. She welcomed the class warmly, invited each of us to introduce ourselves and share where we came from, and immediately created a sense of belonging. She then reviewed the syllabus, emphasized the importance of deadlines, explained attendance and grading policies, and opened the floor for questions.

Throughout my years of teaching, I adopted this same approach. I found that students are far more likely to succeed when they clearly understand expectations from the outset. In later years, the department introduced a detailed grading rubric outlining the criteria for each grade level (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, F). Students were asked to sign this document, which not only helped manage expectations but also supported faculty in addressing the challenges of grade inflation.

Access to Tutoring

University of Fashion — the perfect answer to the tutor and upskilling problem. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

As school budgets continue to tighten, many fashion programs have had to eliminate the free tutoring services they once provided. I remember during my time at FIT, top-performing students were hired to support peers who needed extra help managing the workload. Faculty also made themselves available before and after class to guide struggling students. However, union regulations requiring additional compensation for extra hours, combined with budget constraints, gradually brought these valuable support systems to an end. Today, many students are left to navigate these challenges on their own.

That gap is exactly what inspired the creation of University of Fashion. In 2008, I set out to support aspiring fashion students—first by helping them prepare for the fashion school application process, and then by building a comprehensive library of lessons taught by leading fashion college professors and industry professionals. The goal was not only to provide accessible tutoring for students, but also to empower educators.

University of Fashion gives teachers the tools to expand their curriculum and refine their skills without needing to return to school. With limited time and resources, many faculty members benefit from the flexibility of learning and teaching enhancement from home.

UoF Lesson Disciplines

UoF’s 13 different lesson disciplines. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Today, University of Fashion offers over 550 lessons across 13 disciplines, including Draping, Sewing, Patternmaking, Accessories, Childrenswear, Menswear, Knits, Product Development, CAD Fashion Art, CAD Patternmaking, Fashion Business, and a wide range of Fashion Lectures covering topics such as A.I for Fashion Design, Costume History, Color Theory, Textile Design, Fabric Studies, Sustainable Design, and many more. We support hundreds of fashion students worldwide while also helping educators broaden their teaching scope.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it—explore some of what our students and educators have to say.

Just a few of our many testimonials. (Image Credit: University of Fashion)

Complement not Replacement

It is important to note that University of Fashion was founded as a complement to, not a replacement for, fashion college education. Our mission was to inspire anyone interested in a career in the fashion industry and to preserve the art & craft of fashion for current and future generations. As we celebrate our 18^th anniversary, we are proud that we have succeeded in being the first and largest online fashion education resource, not only for aspiring designers, current fashion school students and teachers, but as a resource for anyone who is curious about a fashion career.

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part One

Francesca Sterlacci - July 18, 2026 - Costume Exhibitions, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Art, Fashion College Admissions Process, Fashion Education, Fashion Exhibitions, Fashion History, Fashion Illustration, Fashion Lectures, Fashion School, Sustainability

After decades in fashion education, I often find myself reflecting on what truly matters for aspiring designers. When considering new topics to share with our community of subscribers and followers, one idea stood out: why not pass along the most valuable lessons I’ve learned over the past 25+ years?

During my time at the Fashion Institute of Technology—17 years teaching in the classroom and 3 years serving as Chair of the Fashion Design department and then 6 years teaching graduate level fashion design at the Academy of Art —I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry. I saw firsthand how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In this two-part series, Part One focuses on guiding prospective students through selecting and applying to fashion colleges. Part Two will shift to supporting educators, offering insights on how to help students thrive and create a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their fashion school journey.

How to Pick a Fashion College

UoF’s free list of global fashion schools — 2-year and 4-year fashion school options. (Image credit: University of Fashion.com)

Choosing the right fashion college is one of the most important decisions in your journey. As you explore your options, take time to ask yourself a few key questions:

How far from home am I willing to go for school?
Should I pursue a two-year program or commit to a four-year degree?
Which schools offer the strongest programs for my specific interests? For instance, if you’re passionate about costume design, which colleges specialize in that field?
What famous fashion designers graduated from this college?
What are the admission requirements, and can I realistically meet them? Consider factors like minimum GPA, standardized test scores, and, most importantly, portfolio expectations.
What is the tuition and do they offer scholarships and/or financing options?

Once you’ve researched and narrowed down the schools that you’re excited about, the next step is applying. Be sure to schedule visits to your top choices whenever possible. Walking the campus and experiencing the environment firsthand can help you picture your life there. For example, some students accepted to FIT later realized that living in a fast-paced city like New York wasn’t the right fit for them.

The Fashion College Application Process

University of Fashion’s lesson, Portfolio Tips for Fashion College Admissions (Image credit: University of Fashion)

In a recent conversation with Tina, a Chicago-based high school senior applying to fashion schools, she described the process as anxiety-producing and overwhelming. Her high school did not offer sewing classes, and its art program lacked guidance on building a fashion portfolio, leaving her to navigate the requirements on her own. Many of the schools she applied to expected both sewn garments and a strong fashion illustration portfolio. A surprise since wasn’t that the whole reason she should go to a fashion school in the first place?

Fortunately, Tina had an early advantage. During her sophomore year, her aunt gifted her a subscription to University of Fashion. Through its lessons she learned how to sew, draw fashion figures, and develop a cohesive portfolio. The platform also provided valuable resources, including a global directory of fashion schools, guidance on crafting a compelling admissions essay, and insight into what makes a portfolio stand out. The lesson, Portfolio Tips for Fashion College Admissions is an amazing guide that takes you through the whole process and is taught by a current FIT professor.

Tina also discovered that expectations vary by school. Some programs require original fashion design work, while others accept fine art pieces as part of the portfolio.

As applicants prepare their materials, it is important to ask:

Does my personal statement clearly express my passion for fashion?
Am I knowledgeable about the fashion history, current industry trends, and key sectors such as couture, luxury, and sustainable fashion?

Fashion college admissions teams want to see that applicants are fully committed and genuinely invested in pursuing fashion.

The Dos & Don’t of the Fashion College Essay

Your portfolio matters, but your essay should reveal who you are as an artist. Some schools require an artist statement—use it to explain your work, philosophy, aesthetic, and point of view. Colleges are looking for fresh, exciting, and innovative work. Show what makes your voice meaningful in fashion. Read the essay requirements carefully, since they want you to answer the question, not just talk about what you want to talk about.

Essay Dos

From UoF’s costume history lesson series, 100 Years of Fashion Rebels & Revolutionaries – Part 1. (Image credit) University of Fashion).

Immerse yourself in fashion—costume history, magazines, blogs, fashion shows and exhibitions—and stay aware of broader culture, from museums to pop and emerging artists. Know key designers, both established and new, and understand enough fashion history to reference it thoughtfully (e.g., Chanel’s legacy, the New Look, punk and grunge).

Write from a clear sense of the impact you want to make in the industry. You can also explore how the internet and digital culture are reshaping fashion, from early adopters to the contrast with traditional, big-budget fashion houses.

Essay Don’ts

Avoid clichéd essays, such as claiming you want to be a designer because you dress well or because you expect to inherit a family fashion business. Be cautious with questions about negative work experiences or strengths and weaknesses; always balance any weakness with a corresponding strength. For example, missing deadlines can be framed as a result of your commitment to producing high-quality work.

Take your essay seriously. Write concisely, avoid repetition, and remember that longer is not always better. Have a teacher or mentor review your work and allow time for revision—strong writing is a process. An A.I. essay is always discoverable.

The 5 Essential Principles for a Great Portfolio

Example of a fashion college admissions portfolio — including an inspiration/mood image, fashion sketches, flat sketches, neat fabric swatches and clean & clear signage. (Image credit: Nancy Kwan for University of Fashion)

When preparing your portfolio, regardless of the school you’re applying to, there are five essential principles to keep in mind.

First, ensure your portfolio feels cohesive, with a clear and consistent visual direction, starting with your inspiration.

Second, presentation matters—avoid anything that appears sloppy or smudged. If you include fabric swatches, they should be cleanly cut, properly labeled, and thoughtfully aligned with your designs.

Example of a fashion college admissions portfolio — including an inspiration/mood image, stylized fashion sketches, neatly cut fabric swatches and clean & clear signage. (Image credit: Ziyon Gong for University of Fashion)

Third, avoid relying on croquis templates from books or the internet. Develop your own sketching style so it reflects your unique design voice and aligns with your aesthetic.

Fourth, focus on technical accuracy in your sketches. Demonstrate your understanding of construction by clearly indicating details such as darts and garment openings.

How to Feature Your Garment Designs

Examples of how to creatively feature your garment designs. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

If you are including sewn examples of your work, create the best possible format for doing so. For example, shoot the garments on a model, then artfully place them on a background listing the design description and fabric choice. Or exhibit them artfully on a dress form. You can kill your portfolio with images that you haven’t spent time on. Professionalism matters.

In conclusion, invest the time to curate a visually compelling portfolio that is innovative, forward-thinking, and an authentic reflection of your passion for fashion. A thoughtfully crafted presentation will resonate with any admissions team. Aim for a portfolio that clearly communicates creativity, dedication, and the promise that you will represent their institution with distinction.

Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Fashion Future

Francesca Sterlacci - March 14, 2026 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Education, Fashion Events, Sustainability, Textiles, Women in Fashion, Women's History Month

The 2026 Women’s History Month theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” provides a timely framework for examining women’s leadership within the global fashion industry. Fashion, one of the world’s most resource‑intensive sectors, has become a key site for sustainable innovation. Increasingly, women designers, educators, and entrepreneurs are driving transformative practices that integrate environmental stewardship, economic equity, and cultural preservation into fashion’s future.

South Asia Women Leading the Charge for a Sustainable Fashion Future

Artist Darshani Patel of Thread Revival Collective, weaves together jute, wool, and other organic fibers, on a large loom. She then shapes these woven pieces into organic creations that evoke natural forms and unique textures. (Image credit: heartfullness.org)

In South Asia, Ananya Patel of India’s Thread Revival Collective integrates environmental and economic sustainability by training rural women, like Darshini Patel, to transform discarded textiles into marketable goods. Her enterprise bridges the informal economy with global fashion markets, demonstrating how circular production systems can align with poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment. Patel’s organization provides living wages and skills development, contributing to both gender equity and resource conservation.

Collectively, these examples highlight a growing paradigm in which women redefine leadership through relational, community‑centered models rather than hierarchical structures. Their work embodies ecofeminist principles that link the care of people and planet, challenging patriarchal and extractive systems long embedded in industrial fashion.

Immigrant Women in the United States Drive Sustainability

Maria Torres, creator of the fast-growing immigrant-owned sustainable fashion boutique — Marian Style. (Image credit: Latinfashionweek.com)

Maria Torres, a Salvadorian‑American designer based in Los Angeles, approaches sustainability through material innovation and collaborative supply chains. Her collections utilize plant‑based alternatives such as cactus leather and organic cotton sourced from women’s cooperatives in Oaxaca. This model exemplifies sustainable economics, redistributing value along the supply chain while reducing dependence on petroleum-based synthetics. Torres’s work also foregrounds the intersectionality of sustainability, recognizing that environmental accountability cannot be separated from social justice and labor equity.

American & European Matriarch’s of Fashion’s Sustainable Movement

Early adopters of the sustainable movement in fashion: Eileen Fisher, Mara Hoffman and Stella McCartney. (Image credit: Vogue.com)

In the U.S., sustainable design has evolved from a niche pursuit to a powerful movement shaped largely by women innovators. Designers such as Eileen Fisher pioneered circular fashion systems, extending the life of garments through repair and resale programs. Her model inspired many of us to question not only how our products are made but what happens to them after purchase. Similarly, Mara Hoffman’s commitment to transparency and regenerative fibers has shown that sustainability can coexist with commercial viability and aesthetic excellence. For emerging American designers, these examples offered both blueprint and challenge: to design garments that meet ethical, environmental, and emotional needs simultaneously.

University of Fashion’s Female Contributors to Fashion Sustainability

UoF’s Sustainable Design Series taught by Noor Bchara (Image credit: University of Fashion)

The University of Fashion has long demonstrated leadership in advancing the discipline’s commitment to sustainability through its comprehensive collection of instructional lessons led by distinguished fashion educators. Among these experts is Noor Bchara, founder of the Upcycle Design School and a recognized authority in sustainable fashion practices. Bchara has developed three foundational courses for the University of Fashion: Introduction to Sustainable Design, Sustainable Materials for Fashion Design, and Designing, Producing, and Marketing a Sustainable Collection—each designed to equip emerging designers with the knowledge and methodologies essential for responsible creative practice.

In addition to her pedagogical contributions, Bchara is an Alumna of the Arts Envoy Program, through which she collaborates with the U.S. Department of State to promote upcycling and circular design principles internationally. Her expertise is widely recognized, as evidenced by her frequent lectures at major art and fashion institutions and her participation in prominent global industry events.

Kromagnon was born in 2012 when Kristen Loung toured several textile factories in France and Italy with fellow FIT students. She began researching sustainable fabrics and practices through a scientific lens informed by her Pre-Med background at NYU. Applying an analytical approach, she examined the environmental trade-offs of various materials, discovering that even sustainably sourced fabrics often require extensive chemical processing. Her investigation culminated in a deep understanding of sustainable textile production, enabling her to source ethically aligned suppliers and manufacturers, insights that laid the foundation for Kromagnon, a brand dedicated to responsible and innovative fashion design.

Love is Mighty was a New York based luxury footwear and accessories brand committed to sustainability, Artisanal Craftsmanship and Cruelty-Free fashion. Monisha Raja, Founder and Creative Director, is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and the recipient of the P.E.T.A. Fashion Award for her dedication to Animals and Fashion. The company was dedicated to creating products that showcased an exceptional combination of modern design, innovation and ancient mastery, through collaborations with semi-nomadic tribes of the world.

Parron Allen, while not a female designer, he is worth mentioning here. Parron’s design practice embodies a harmonious dialogue between whimsy and functionality, articulating a distinctly contemporary aesthetic voice. Through his work, he reclaims the practice of upcycling as a cultural and ancestral homage to his Mississippi roots, transforming fabric remnants, discarded textiles, and thrifted garments into inventive, narrative-driven collections. Before establishing his eponymous brand in 2021, Parron Allen pursued formal design studies in both the United States and the United Kingdom and refined his technical and creative expertise at notable fashion houses including Vera Wang, Ellen Tracy, and Rebecca Taylor.

Eco Textiles is taught by Carol Brathwaite who served as an Adjunct Instructor at New York City College of Technology (City Tech), where she taught courses in textiles and fashion marketing. Drawing on over ten years of experience as a Senior Technician in Con Edison’s Chemical and Environmental Laboratory in New York, her lesson examines key innovations and contemporary developments in sustainable textile production and associated best practices and addresses ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of textile manufacture, use and disposal, and considers the prospective trajectory of the global fashion industry as it continues to evolve toward greater ecological responsibility and awareness.

In Summary

From South Asia to the United States and Europe, women are redefining what it means to lead in fashion by merging creativity with conscience. Their work advances a model of sustainability that values people as much as the planet, one rooted in equity, education, and cultural continuity. Whether training rural artisans, developing next‑generation materials, or teaching the next wave of designers, these leaders are weaving a new narrative of fashion that is circular, ethical, and inclusive. Collectively, they embody the ethos of Women’s History Month 2026: not simply participating in change, but leading it, stitch by stitch, community by community.

Sewing’s Comeback is More than a Hobby — It’s a Quiet Revolution

Francesca Sterlacci - November 1, 2025 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Events, Fashion Innovation, Sustainability, Women in Fashion

Have you been following the news lately? Sewing is experiencing a strong comeback, with numerous recent articles highlighting its resurgence in popularity, especially among younger generations. The revival is driven by trends in sustainability, customization and personal fulfillment. It’s a reaction against fast fashion and serves both as a creative outlet and a therapeutic activity that promotes mindfulness and stress relief.

Who better to teach these new sewists? Well, University of Fashion of course!

Fashioning Identity

There are 30 million sewists in the U.S. alone, many of whom are teens and tweens. As younger generations crave both individuality and social connection, one of the best ways to get them off their screens is to send them to a sewing boot camp. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been driving interest among Gen Zers, by documenting their enthusiasm for sewing as a sustainable, expressive act, countering fast fashion with handmade clothing.

The New York Times’ Sept. 4, 2025—Article on sewing’s resurgence (Image credit: The New York Times)

Recently, The New York Times reported that sewing is “cool again”, pointing to a surge in demand for sewing classes, with people drawn to saving money, upcycling, and learning skills once associated mostly with older generations.

Harper’s Bazaar and similar outlets point to shifting cultural attitudes toward handmade garments—from “second-rate” to novel, valued, and often more expensive than off-the-rack options, driven by both quality and individuality.

Axios reported that people are flocking to sewing centers and learning how to embroider, alter and make items like tote bags, skirts and pants from scratch.

Entrepreneurial Sewing Workshops on the Rise

Looking to start your own business? If you are a great sewer and are looking for a new business idea, well, why not get a group subscription to UoF and open your own sewing workshop?

The New York Sewing Center at 246 W 38th Street, 9th Floor, Suite 9A, New York City (Image credit: The New York Sewing Center)

Inspired Sewistpreneurs

The New York Sewing Center in Midtown Manhattan, was founded by former fashion designer Kristine Frailing. She offers full day sewing boot camps, evening courses, embroidery workshops and classes on the basics of alteration.

At Carolina Textile District in Western North Carolina, workshops are being offered from basic sewing to materials sourcing and product development. CTD connects makers, designers, and entrepreneurs to a reliable domestic supply chain, so quality products can be made in the U.S.

In Washington, DC, Antoinette Lee opened her studio, A Special Lee Sewing Studio, out of her home and has been continuously offering sewing and upcycling classes.

In Miami, Jesy Anderson, owner and creator of Needle, Ink, and Thread opened her workshop in 2016. She even has a sewing class called Sew and Grow for kids.

Shop Rat, a popular weekly newsletter by Emilia Petrarca (Image credit: Shop Rat)

A promoter of fashion sustainability is journalist Emilia Petrarca who publishes Shop Rat, a newsletter featuring a Repair Month series with tips for saving your most beloved garments, including interviews with experts, personal mending adventures, and recommendations.

Eva Joan, a mending studio and one-stop -shop for alterations was founded by Bjorn Eva Park and Emma Villeneuve. Located at 28 Jane Street in New York City, the shop is named after their respective grandmothers.

Thrifting Stats — Did You Know…

According to Capital One Shopping Research:

16 to 18%of Americans shop at thrift stores each year; 12 to 15% shop at consignment or resale stores.

93% of Americans shop online for secondhand items.
In 2023, the U.S. secondhand market generated an estimated $53 billion in revenue.
There are over 25,000 resale, consignment, and not-for-profit resale shops in the U.S.
Thrift store shoppers save an average of $2,071 per year by purchasing secondhand.
Approximately one-third of clothing and apparel items purchased in the U.S. over the past year were secondhand.

So yes, sewing’s comeback isn’t just stylish, it’s a revolution!

Happy National Taco Day! From Taco Wrappers to Runway: Olivia Mears Serves Up Haute Salsa Style!

Francesca Sterlacci - October 4, 2025 - Contest, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion History, Sustainability

Olivia Mears models her “Taco Dress” circa 2015. (Image credit: @AvantGeek)

Olivia Mears didn’t just make a Taco Dress—she reinvented fast fashion, literally! When most people see 300 unused Taco Bell wrappers, they think “leftovers.” Olivia thought, “wardrobe makeover for a Disney princess!” And honestly, Belle’s usual frock never looked so crunchy. Happy National Taco Day (October 7).

The Taco Dress Saga

Who needs fairy godmothers when you’ve got nacho scraps and a hot glue gun? With 300 taco wrappers on her side, Olivia transformed herself from Western Carolina U student to the undisputed queen of taco couture. Ten hours of crafting later, she emerged like Belle, if Belle had taken a wild detour through a drive-thru instead of a French castle.

Fame with Extra Cheese

After winning first prize in Taco Bell’s “Live Mas to Win Mas” contest in 2015, Olivia was basically the Cinderella of salsa, except her big debut was a Taco Bell commercial, not a ballroom, and her magical gown smelled faintly of beans, not roses. National TV soon came calling. ABC and Late Night with Seth Meyers wanted the story, no doubt hoping she’d show up in a matching churro tiara.

Taco-inspired dress by Olivia Mears circa 2015 (Image credit: @avantgeek)

Tasty Legacy

Olivia’s Taco Dress became an inspiration: why toss away wrappers when you can wrap yourself in them? Today, she’s proof that upcycling isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s deliciously chic. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, her art shows it can also be in the bottom of a taco bag.

So next National Taco Day, don’t just eat your tacos. Wear them. Preferably with a side of guac and a lot of confidence!

R.I.P. Big 4 Pattern Companies – Now What?

Francesca Sterlacci - July 19, 2025 - Current Topics in Fashion, Draping, Fashion Art, Fashion Education, Fashion History, Fashion School, Pattern Making, Sewing, Sustainability

The ‘Big 4’ pattern companies Vogue, Butterick, McCalls & Simplicity (New Look) were sold to a liquidator for $1 on May 30th, 2025.

Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, the whir of a sewing machine was as constant as the hum of a refrigerator. Spools of thread in every shade known to humankind overflowed from biscuit tins, and pattern envelopes multiplied in sideboard drawers like rabbits after a particularly romantic spring. Home sewing was not just a hobby—it was a way of life, a rite of passage.

Grade and high schoolers were taught sewing and, in many cases, budding designers dreamed of attending fashion school. Speaking for myself, I spent my senior year designing and sewing prom dresses for friends. These skills eventually led me to FIT and a 40-year career in the fashion industry.

Back then, sewing circles were the original social networks—no algorithm required. Scissors were passed, gossip was shared, and if you didn’t have a pincushion shaped like a tomato or a seam ripper, you weren’t cool.

Fast forward to May 30^th, 2025, when it was announced that the “Big 4” sewing pattern companies (Simplicity, Butterick, McCalls, and Vogue) were sold to a liquidator for $1. IG Design Group Americas, the parent company of these brands, was sold to Hilco Capital, a liquidation firm. The sale effectively means the brands are now under the control of a company that specializes in liquidating assets of struggling businesses. How did this happen?

Blame Fast Fashion: The Great Unraveling

And then, like a rogue snag in your favorite sweater, the era of home sewing began to unravel. Blame globalization, blame polyester, blame that little voice in your head that says, “Why sew when you can buy a new shirt for six bucks at the mall?” For Millennials and Gen Zers, patterns—with their mysterious markings and origami-like folding—became as intimidating as IKEA assembly instructions. The amount of fabric jargon alone could send even the bravest soul running for the nearest department store. Selvage, dart, gusset—are these sewing terms or ingredients for a medieval potion?

Suddenly, sewing a dress at home ceased to be thrifty. Instead, it began to look as practical as churning your own butter. Why spend hours cutting, pinning, and cursing at a wonky zipper, when you could simply click “add to cart” and have three trendy tops delivered by Friday?

But somewhere between the rise of fast fashion and the arrival of next-day delivery, we seem to have lost our stitch. Today, let us pour one out for the demise of home sewing—a craft that once stitched together families, wardrobes, and, occasionally, the very seams of society.

Pandemic sewing surge (Image credit: The Conversation.com)

A Renaissance: Sustainable & DIY Fashion Movements & Pandemic

The creation of organizations like the World Fair Trade Organization (1989) and the establishment of certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) substantiated the push for accountability, fair wages, and sustainable materials in fashion, inspiring the DIY movement. Thanks to thrifting, recycling and upcycling, Instagram is awash with influencers who can conjure a dress from a vintage bedsheet, and hashtags like #MeMadeMay or #SewingCommunity still draw thousands of posts.

Lockdowns during the pandemic saw a spike in sales of sewing machines and supplies. Suddenly, everyone wanted to make masks, or perhaps finally hem those curtains purchased in a fit of optimism in 2012.

Kelly Kim of Cornell University (Image credit: HomeSewingCornell.com)

What We Lose When We Lose Home Sewing

There is something quietly radical about stitching your own clothes—a sense of agency, creativity, and connection to the past. Home sewing taught generations how to create, repair, and personalize. It was the original form of sustainable fashion, long before “upcycling” became a buzzword.

When we lose home sewing, we lose the tiny acts of rebellion that said, “I won’t settle for off-the-rack.” We surrender an opportunity to slow down, to make something beautiful, and to understand that perfection is overrated—that a crooked seam can be a thing of pride.

So, What’s Next? A Prediction

With the future of the Big 4 pattern companies in limbo, I predict that new business opportunities will open-up for independent pattern makers to market their own digital pattern designs to home sewers. Watch for them on Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and in trade mags like Threads.

Watch as affordable fashion education libraries, such as University of Fashion, with their beginner, intermediate and advanced on-demand lessons in design and manufacturing become even bigger, as the go-to resource for creatives to learn sewing and the 3D’s: draping, drafting and drawing.

So, here’s to the seamstresses and tailors who came before us, to the calluses on their fingers and the ingenuity in their designs. Here’s to the menders, the makers, the hemmers, and the dreamers. Home sewing may be on hiatus, but its spirit lives on—quietly, stubbornly, and sometimes, gloriously, in the oddest places. Like your great-aunt’s linen closet, or your own heart, whenever you sew on a stray button and save the day.

Long live the stitch, no matter how small.

Celebrating World Creativity & Innovation Day

Francesca Sterlacci - April 19, 2025 - 3D Design, 3D Fashion Design, AI Fashion, Current Topics in Fashion, Draping, Fashion Art, Fashion Education, Fashion Events, Fashion Innovation, Illustration, Pattern Making, Sewing, Sustainability, Technology, World Creativity & Innovation Day

The Origin Story of World Creativity and Innovation Day

World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated annually on April 21st. The origin of this day can be traced back to Canadian Marci Segal, a creativity and innovation consultant (since 1984) and the author of books such as Creativity and Personality Type: Tools for Understanding and Inspiring the Many Voices of Creativity and A Quick Guide to the Four Temperaments and Creativity: A Psychological Understanding of Creativity. Segal founded World Creativity and Innovation Day in 2001 with the intention of encouraging people to utilize their natural creative abilities to generate new ideas and ultimately make the world a better place. The date April 21st was chosen as it is the day that precedes Earth Day (April 22nd), emphasizing the crucial role of creativity in fostering a sustainable planet. Initially observed in various countries since 2002, World Creativity and Innovation Day gained official recognition from the United Nations in April 2017 with the first official UN celebration taking place on April 21, 2018.

Ways to Celebrate World Creativity & Innovation Day

Since the founding of University of Fashion in 2008, my mission has been both to preserve the art & craft of fashion design and to educate & inspire creativity. Now, with 550 video lessons to offer, from beginner to advanced in 13 different fashion disciplines, we are a one-stop shop for creativity. So, in honor of World Creativity & Innovation Day, if you are looking to learn something new or inspiration, we’ll help get you started. Here’s a little sample of some lessons that just might spark the inner artist or entrepreneur in you:

Learn Fashion Drawing, Illustrating & Mood Boarding

Learn how to draw & illustrate contemporary menswear (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Learn how to draw & illustrate womenswear (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Learn how to create an inspirational fabric mood board (Image credit: Lee So Hyun for University of Fashion)

Learn Womenswear & Menswear Pattern making

Learn how to draft cascading ruffles (Image credit: Prabal Gurung)

Learn how to use specialized menswear drafting tools to draft men’s clothing (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Learn how to drape a center front twist (Image credit: StellaMcCartney)

Learn How to Sew Various Types of Fabrics

Learn how to sew sheers & lace (Image credit: Zimmerman)

Learn how to create silk ribbon embroidery using a Tambour frame & hook (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Learn How to Design Using 3D & AI

image of a University of Fashion T-shirt created in Browzwear 3D software

Learn how to design using Browzwear & CLO 3D software (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Image of student creating AI fashion on a computer

Learn how to design fashion using AI software (Image credit: PixVerse for University of Fashion)

University of Fashion Certificates of Completion

Francesca Sterlacci - April 5, 2025 - 3D Design, 3D Fashion Design, Adaptive Fashion, AI Fashion, Current Topics in Fashion, Draping, Fashion Art, Fashion Business, Fashion Education, Pattern Making, Sewing, Sustainability, Technology, University of Fashion Certificates

Our subscribers had been asking us for years how they could earn a certificate upon completion of our lessons. We listened. In 2022, we announced our University of Fashion Certificate of Completion program and the rest is history! Thousands of paid subscribers have been earning certificates for FREE ever since we launched the program. Are you one of them?

Sure you can attend fashion school and pay thousands of dollars. But for those in the ‘know’, University of Fashion has many of the same lessons & instructors who teach at the best fashion schools (FIT, Parsons and others). So, why not take advantage by learning from our 550 lessons and earning a certificate along the way?

Earn a UoF Certificate for Your Efforts

Example of a subscriber’s University of Fashion Certificate of Completion

How UoF’s Certificate of Completion Program Works

Example of a subscriber’s My Learning page – listing lessons ‘in-progress’ & 100% completed

All University of Fashion paid subscribers can now receive a Certificate of Completion for any and all completed lessons and lectures. You can track your individual progress toward earning a certificate by clicking on the My Learning tab on the left side of your Account page. Here you can track all of your lessons and your lesson progress. You can even print out your certificates!

Is there a Cost for a UoF Certificate of Completion?

There is NO extra charge for a University of Fashion Certificate of Completion. If you are a paid monthly or yearly subscriber and have completed one of our lessons, you are automatically eligible to obtain a certificate.

Example of a student’s My Learning page showing the lesson discipline, certificate & date earned

Benefits of a UoF Certificate of Completion

Beyond that feeling of accomplishment at having learned and mastered a new subject or technique, there are many other benefits to earning our Certificates:

Present your certificates to prospective employers, along with examples of your completed draped, drafted, drawn and/or sewn projects
Include UoF certificates in your portfolio for job applications and college admission purposes
Frame your certificates as proof of your competence in multidisciplines to show to your clients
Export and email your certificates to your instructors for extra credit
Prove to your current employer that you have upskilled in a particular area like 3D & AI design, adaptive fashion, sustainability and other cutting edge areas
Demonstrate to a school administrator proof of your competence and proficiency in teaching additional subjects

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Category "Sustainability"

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What We Lose When We Lose Home Sewing

So, What’s Next? A Prediction

Celebrating World Creativity & Innovation Day

Search the Blog

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University of Fashion Blog

Category "Sustainability"

Our 13 Different Lesson Disciplines: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced

Special back-to-school offer

What you get

Special back-to-school offer

Student Insecurities

Access to Tutoring

UoF Lesson Disciplines

Testimonials

How to Pick a Fashion College

The Fashion College Application Process

The Dos & Don’t of the Fashion College Essay

Essay Dos

Essay Don’ts

The 5 Essential Principles for a Great Portfolio

How to Feature Your Garment Designs

Immigrant Women in the United States Drive Sustainability

American & European Matriarch’s of Fashion’s Sustainable Movement

University of Fashion’s Female Contributors to Fashion Sustainability

Fashioning Identity

Entrepreneurial Sewing Workshops on the Rise

Thrifting Stats — Did You Know…

Blame Fast Fashion: The Great Unraveling

A Renaissance: Sustainable & DIY Fashion Movements & Pandemic

What We Lose When We Lose Home Sewing

So, What’s Next? A Prediction

Earn a UoF Certificate for Your Efforts

How UoF’s Certificate of Completion Program Works

Is there a Cost for a UoF Certificate of Completion?

Benefits of a UoF Certificate of Completion

Start learning and earning your certificates. Sign-up at https://www.universityoffashion.com/sign-up/

Spread the word! Start completing lessons and printing out your UoF certificates. Let us know how many you’ve earned!

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