Sustainable Fashion & Supply Chain Management Programme

This unique international study programme is for students interested in creative textile explorations, supply chain management and sustainable fashion. It offers an intimate view

into conscious practices in fashion design, product making and sourcing, via the lens of the South Asian island of Sri Lanka. With the curriculum and study experiences built around the island’s artisanal cultures, creative heritage and sustainable manufacturing models that serve as an inspiring case study, a working model and a future production source, this summer programme will help you develop your

design approach, advance your knowledge, and immerse yourself in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The certificate award offered after completion will be testimony of your ability to consult fashion brands with new knowledge that will give them a special edge, and your place in a sustainable

sourcing network for own brands. 

A DIFFERENT KIND OF MAKER +

STORIES TO INSPIRE YOUR STORY

One of the most inspiring components of this study programme are the excursions into villages where you meet

with artisanal communities who practice traditional crafts. By directly interacting with artisanal communities, you will gain the much-needed understanding of their skills, capabilities and especially, how this work empowers them. Their stories,

smiles and skills will become part of what drives your products, brands and practices, bringing in a new dimension of social sustainability to your study.

A LIVING, BREATHING HERITAGE  +

NEED-TO-KNOW CRAFT DYNAMICS

The unusual crafts that Sri Lanka has to offer will be part of this study experience, allowing you to derive a deep understanding of the breadth of possibilities and the scope for innovation, reinvention and experimentation. Going from textile production to unusual printmaking methods, this course’s exposure to crafts will be direct, thought-provoking and immersive in every sense. By facilitating workshops and direct interactions with the crafts, the course will give you sensitivity to the limitations, opportunities and material choices of each craft technique, which will form the critical knowledge base upon which you can go on to experiment and reinvent them with fresh perspectives.

THE PROGRAMME

TALKS + 

WORKSHOPS +

 INDUSTRY MEETINGS +

 FIELD TRIPS +

 PROJECT REVIEWS +

 MENTORSHIP 

CORE STUDY EXPERIENCE

The course is a multifaceted experience, balancing immersive cultural experiences with engagement in sustainable design and making connections with active, global businesses and supply chains. The programme is all about understanding the elements of design quality, bringing in a unique sense of story while building your own personal business network.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

DESIGN RESOURCES + CREATIVE INSPIRATION + STUDIO FACILITIES

Your study components in sustainable design are intended to help you open up new dimensions in your formal design education and to help you discover alternative creative inspiration. Think workshops with artisan-designer duos, talks by local entrepreneurs leading own sustainable design practices and collaborative studio environments thick with like-minded creatives and talent.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

UNDERSTANDING THE MAKERS + NETWORKING + LIFETIME CONNECTIONS

Programme participants will follow the steps of a working supply chain from direct interactions with micro village designers/weavers to cutting-edge, high- tech sustainable manufacturers, seeing first hand Sri Lanka's award winning green apparel industry produce advanced products for their international clients. These connections will not only advance your knowledge in the essentials of managing supply chains, but also establish valuable networks to establish your own business.

CULTURAL IMMERSIONS

ARTISANAL HERITAGE + CRAFT TRAILS + CHANGING CULTURES + ISLAND WAY OF DOING THINGS

The immersive cultural experiences are an important part of crafting a unique study opportunity. These intimate views form the essential backstory creating a unique understanding of a place and its people before beginning to decode its crafts, techniques, production methods, supply chains and businesses. Presented as excursions to artisanal heritage villages amidst breathtaking tropical landscapes, social engagements within urban subcultures, and unique personal experiences, the programme’s rich cultural component will provide a new perspective on working with local professionals in unknown destinations.

CULTURAL +

NEW DESIGN DIMENSIONS

ACCOMMODATION +

YOUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY +

LIFESTYLE

The programme also offers students the opportunity to discover an island gem while engaging in their course of study. Studying with AOD also means that you will be part of a creative community of designers, young innovators, design students and academics from all over the world—it’s an inspiring mix to be part of. While the programme will take up a significant amount of your time.

In Sri Lanka for travel, study time, lectures, networking and workshops, you will also have time for personal exploration of Colombo, the textile producing regions, and the rest of an island that offers some of the best beaches in the world, stunning hills, landscapes, wildlife, resorts, and historical treasures.To discover all this or to arrange a person- alised mix of facilities and guidance for your time here, talk to us.

EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW

PARTICIPATION & REGISTRATION

We invite applications from current students, design professionals, and academic institutes from around the world. We offer three models for engagement with the Sustainable Fashion & Supply Chain Management programme:

1.    Individual Applicants

Students and design professionals can apply online for the one/two-week programme curated by AOD and DFSD: www.aod.lk/pages/aod-study-abroad-summer-programme-2020

Application Deadline: 15th April 2020

Programme 01 Cost: USD 550

13th - 18th July 2020

Programme 01 Cost: USD 900

13th - 25th July 2020

The price includes accommodation in Colombo on twin sharing basis, travel expenses for the field trips around the island and all associated programme costs. The price does not include air travel to and from Sri Lanka, visa, food and personal expenses.

2.    Student Exchange

We invite academic institutes to a student exchange where students from an academic institute can send a representative from their institute to participate in the July 2020 programme mentioned above. In return, an AOD student would receive an equivalent opportunity to participate in a short course or programme of the partnering institute.

For queries and further information contact: studyabroad@aod.lk