University of Toronto launches art history course focused on sustainable fashion

A new art history course at the University of Toronto is encouraging students to rethink clothing consumption and explore fashion’s environmental impact.

Titled Considering Sustainable Textiles and Fashions in the Age of Climate Crisis, the fourth-year course—led by curator and lecturer Alexandra Palmer—begins with an unusual challenge: students are asked not to buy any new clothing during the term. The aim is to shift cultural thinking about sustainability and encourage reflection on fashion’s role within planetary boundaries.

The class examines global trends such as rising clothing production, increased consumption and the environmental consequences of fast fashion. Students also learn to identify “greenwashing” and critically assess marketing claims related to climate change and sustainability.

Palmer explained that the goal is to empower students with knowledge and agency, enabling them to make informed decisions about fashion and respond to environmental challenges in their own ways.

By blending art history with sustainability, the course reflects a growing academic trend that situates textiles and fashion within broader discussions about climate crisis, culture and consumer behaviour.