Fashion students set sail for sustainability
In partnership with Cotton Incorporated and Materevolve, students explore the intersection of design, science, and ecology through interdisciplinary learning.
Fashion students set sail to learn about sustainability.
This summer, fashion students ventured outside the studio and sailed across the San Francisco Bay with a group of experts from Cotton Incorporated and Materevolve. The program gives students the opportunity to explore the intersection of material science, sustainability, and ecological conservation through hands-on learning and conversations with designers from The North Face and Everlane.
Partnerships at CCA connect students with industry leaders, fostering holistic learning while helping them build networks that support their professional growth.
A Materevolve expert discusses the fashion industry’s long-term environmental impact with students.
“Through these partnerships, students connect directly with industry experts and cutting-edge research that helps bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice,” explains Ghazaleh Khalifeh, assistant professor in Fashion Design. “Their valuable expertise has helped students gain insight into everything from the cotton lifecycle and sustainable farming to innovative materials like bio-based dyes and recycled materials.”
Gregory Climer, chair of Fashion Design, highlighted how these real-world interactions expand what’s possible in the classroom. “Partnerships mean we don't need to invent the wheel every time,” he says. “We can work with people who dedicate their lives to these important topics and get our students involved with them.”
Margaret Seelie demonstrates how to turn any color-rich natural material into a dye pigment.
A student favorite was the natural dye demonstration led by Margaret Seelie, founder of Seelie Studio, who shared an innovative technique using pigments derived from invasive sea urchins. The process offered a creative solution to an environmental problem by turning an invasive species into a dye source. It also gave students a new method for working with natural dyes that can be replicated with any color-rich material.
“Because of the interdisciplinary approach to understanding how science, sustainability, and design intertwine – the learning experience felt whole.”
(BFA Individualized Studies)
Fashion students connect with industry experts through conversation and collaboration.
Students take a closer look at pollution gathered from the ocean’s surface using a specialized mesh bag.
Collecting microfibers from the ocean’s surface gave students a physical understanding of fashion’s environmental footprint. For Fashion Design student Ashley Robles-Rasgado, seeing the evidence firsthand made the need for sustainable design feel more urgent and personal. “When I think of the harm textile processing causes to marine life, I feel emotional,” she says. “As designers, we have the responsibility to experience these impacts and create a better future for the fashion industry.”
“This trip was inspiring and fun. It made me think more deeply about the longevity and impact of my designs.”
(BFA Fashion Design 2026)
After a day of activities and learnings, students reflect on what it means to design sustainably.
Designers from Everlane and The North Face shared how sustainability takes shape across materials, manufacturing, and the end-of-life cycle. Hearing directly from professionals inspired new possibilities for students. “Getting to listen and talk with the speakers expanded my map of where I could take my fashion practice in terms of sustainability and nature integration. This trip has given me a solid ground of belief in the community to build on,” says Joaquin Zuniga-Perlstein, an Individualized Studies student.
Back in the studio, students now carry a stronger sense of responsibility and a deeper understanding of how science, sustainability, and fashion intersect. Many are inspired to experiment with natural dyes, rethink material choices, and design with long-term impact in mind. The trip also reassured students that there’s a community of designers committed to sustainable innovation, and that their voices and leadership can make a difference.
Students, faculty, and industry experts come together to shape a more sustainable future for fashion.