The Climate Advocates programme at London College of Fashion (LCF), UAL is designed to integrate student partners into the ongoing efforts to embed climate, social, and racial justice principles within the curriculum.
For the 2024-25 academic year, a selected group of Climate Advocates have been recruited to collaborate with LCF’s Climate Advocate Coordinator, Curriculum Developer, course teams, and fellow students.
We recently caught up with this year’s Climate Advocates to find out more about their role, and what they hope to gain from the experience.
Dajeong is a MA Fashion Futures graduate and a sustainable fashion practitioner. Rooted in her social enterprise, DADA (Disrupt Attire Design Art), Dajeong develops holistic frameworks for a Modernising Made-to-Measure (MMTM) system. Dajeong’s Masters project explores repurposing textile waste, redefining designers’ roles, and fostering creativity, sustainability, and collective action for a responsible future.
As a formal LCF Changemaker (group of students who work in partnership with Academic developers, staff and students at LCF to co-develop practices that will facilitate transitioning students into Higher Education), I discovered gaps in how courses address sustainability, with some deeply engaging and others lightly touching on the subject. Encouraged to apply for this role, I saw it as an opportunity to combine my passion for climate justice and social change with my work in sustainable fashion. I believe in the power of care and collective action to drive meaningful impact. This role allows me to share my knowledge, connect with like-minded individuals, expand my understanding, and contribute to practical solutions for a more sustainable future.
The experience has been incredibly rewarding. Working with passionate Climate Advocates and attending climate network events has deepened my understanding of gaps in sustainability education. Auditing course handbooks to assess climate and social justice integration has been insightful. The support from the Climate Advocate Coordinator has made the process enriching and encouraging.
I hope to understand barriers to climate action within the UAL community, engage with course leaders and students, and explore how this role can drive urgent systemic change. This experience will deepen my knowledge and strengthen my ability to advocate for meaningful transformations in education.
My vision is for creators to expand their understanding of fashion as an influence on all life, not only humans, but also nature, as we are part of it. Fashion goes beyond self-expression and aesthetics; by adopting a design-for-others approach, creators can take responsibility, make informed choices, and design with care. Through fostering awareness and collective accountability, the fashion industry can become a powerful force for climate, racial, and social justice, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world.
Before creating, ask yourself: How can I create with responsibility? What will its impact be? What happens to it at the end of its use?
UAL’s carbon emissions in 2022 from waste alone reached 40 billion tonnes. Start small: use existing resources rather than sourcing new materials - believe in your creative ability to transform them into new values. Use reuse hubs near LCF like Yodomo (textiles) or Renee (materials). Swap materials with course mates or attend UAL’s swap events. Research the environmental impact of your materials and prioritise reuse over disposal.
Ernest, final year MA Fashion Marketing and Sustainability student also acts as a Course Representative. Ernest actively connects with peers to understand their experiences and perspectives on climate, social, and racial justice. This role allows Ernest to listen closely and advocate effectively, ensuring our diverse voices contribute to meaningful conversations and progress within our program.
I joined as a Climate Advocate because I believe systemic change starts with education. By shaping the mindsets of students who will become future opinion leaders and decision-makers, we can drive industry-wide transformation. This role offers a vital opportunity to raise awareness of the social, racial, and environmental challenges facing our industry.
So far, this role has connected me with like-minded individuals from a variety of backgrounds, departments, and cultures, enriching my understanding of sustainability from multiple perspectives. Engaging with such a diverse community has opened my mind to new ideas and approaches I hadn’t previously considered. This experience is shaping my own thinking and has shown me the power of collaboration in advancing sustainable initiatives.
I hope to gain a deeper understanding of students' perspectives on sustainability, broadening the conversation beyond environmental responsibility to include social and racial equity. By engaging with the student body, I aim to become a more informed advocate for systemic change, fostering a more holistic approach to sustainability in our industry.
My vision for climate, racial, and social justice in fashion is a future where all stakeholders: brands, customers, suppliers, governing bodies, and NGOs share accountability and responsibility. Collaboration across these levels is essential to drive meaningful change, ensuring the industry protects the interests of future generations and upholds ethical standards.
Every small action counts, and perfection isn’t the goal. Simple steps, like thinking twice before purchasing new items, opting for sustainable choices, or even turning off the lights when you leave can add up over time. By being mindful in our daily habits, we each play a part in building a more sustainable future.
Ciana is a first year BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring student, currently working on a new topic ‘tailoring, design and identity’ to try to navigate identity, future decisions around career, and core values.
I signed up to be a Climate Advocate as I wanted to learn more about climate and see what part I can play in helping the planet, in an industry that largely contributes to environmental issues. As a Christian I feel compelled to do my best to protect this world, as The Bible says that we are stewards and that we should “take care of it.”
This role has truly opened my eyes to the devastation that we, as a population, have already contributed to a dying planet/world. Knowing that I can help the university where I can implement more education about sustainability in my course feels so rewarding.
I hope that I can implement sustainable and ethical practices with my career.
My goal is to be able to create a harmonious world where we are all on the same page with the same urgency to protect our dying planet. I want people to be more conscience about what they are purchasing, without guilt and shame.
Educate yourself. The best thing to do is to learn more about what climate action is and how the climate crisis affects you, your family and your future. I really recommend taking the UAL Climate Literacy course. It really delves into what climate change is and how you can take action.
Lukas is a second year BA (Hons) Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Performance student and works as a Climate Advocate for the School of Media and Communication. Lukas has previous training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and is excited to bring those insights and view them through the lens of sustainability and promoting climate justice.
I’ve always been someone who is passionate about social justice, especially when it comes to my practice. Working in my industry means working alongside plenty of single use products, and balancing sustainable practice with the health and safety of your model. I signed up to be a Climate Advocate because I believe that promoting values of climate and social justice to the upcoming generation of makeup artists will make such a tangible difference to not only how we approach makeup, but to the people we apply it to.
So far, it’s been really enlightening meeting other like-minded creatives who prioritise and advocate for sustainability. It makes you feel so empowered to work in a room of people striving to make a difference and attending talks from organisations like FACE who advocate for racial justice in Higher Education. I feel like I’m learning so much about how people are fighting to make a difference.
I hope to work alongside the climate justice program as well as my technicians and tutors to implement creative solutions on viewing the waste we produce through a sustainable lens. I’m really excited about the possibilities.
Attending LCF is an interesting experience as you see and interact with so many people from all facets of the fashion industry. My vision is to see more people from working-class backgrounds come into the industry, and to see how people make fashion that they believe in, that embraces accessibility and that celebrates the process of making.
Everyone should complete the Carbon Literacy course, and pay attention to the stories of those currently suffering from the effects of climate change. People need to move away from the comfort of climate action being a task for the future and accept it as a reality that needs to be faced today.
Beau is an MA Fashion Design Management student. Beau’s background in law and their identity as a queer Southeast Asian lends them a unique perspective on the most pressing sustainability issues in fashion and the wider world today.
I came to fashion from the world of law, where advocacy was part of my bread and butter. This role is the perfect outlet for me to express my passion for justice and make an impact during my time at LCF.
It’s been really stimulating interacting with colleagues and exchanging ideas on how principles of justice can be better embedded across different courses. It’s the best feeling being able to collaborate with peers who are just as passionate about sustainability as you.
I want to be able to say that I pushed the boat out as far as I could in terms of advocating for fashion students’ exposure to the possibility of a more radical and more equitable future while studying at UAL.
I want fashion practitioners leaving UAL to move through the world with a sense of accountability, humility and solidarity for causes bigger than us around the world.
Pay attention to what your local council and elected representatives are doing in terms of green initiatives for your community. If they put out an open call for public input, ENGAGE AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Apathy is the enemy of progress, so participate and take ownership of the future you want for you and your loved ones!