We had the pleasure of hosting Danielle Elsener at GFC. Danielle is a New York-based Zero Waste system designer, educator, and industry consultant who has spent a decade bridging academia and the fashion industry.
During her visit, she led an introductory Zero Waste workshop for our students, demonstrating how these systems function at an industrial scale. She challenged our students to view Zero Waste not just as a sustainable practice but as a primary design tool that pushes boundaries far beyond the traditional body sloper.
Danielle is the co-founder of Cut to Zero, an international collaborative consulting group formed alongside Cassandra Belanger. As two pioneering members of the Zero Waste Design revolution, they work closely with universities, industry partners, and NGOs to transform how clothes are made. Danielle is also a co-founder of the Zero Waste Design Collective.
We were honored to have Danielle share her expertise, providing our students with a firsthand look at innovative, systemic approaches to the future of fashion.
Published by bunkaglobalfashion
The Global Fashion Concentration (GFC) has been founded for students who wish to gain their MA in fashion and textile studies in English. It strives to bridge theory and practice within a global context with a focus on fashion related art and design. As the course is based in Japan, there are classes offered on Japanese aesthetics and language. An array of trans-disciplinary subjects related to fashion are offered. The core subject of the GFC, titled "Project Research", is led by specialists and industry counterparts and is designed to allow students to develop their individual research proposals both in practice and theory. Students will have access to Bunka’s celebrated fashion library and world-class fashion museum for research and inspiration. Additionally, internships at high profile Japanese brands such as Anrealage, as well as the National Art Center enable students to implement real world connections between concept and practical knowledge. To be eligible to graduate, students are required to complete either a full Master’s thesis, or a collection.
In 2016, GFC launched a double degree program with the prestigious Parisian design school École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD). Students enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to present their MA project at the ENSAD final collection show and exhibition in Paris.
GFC is a concentrated program: Excellence in creation and skill as well as strong motivation, commitment and patience will be required. Successful graduates will be candidates for employment in all areas and levels of the fashion industry across the world, including design, journalism, fashion buying, curation, and academia.
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