In conjunction with the groundbreaking exhibition The Ecology of Fashion (on view through August 31, 2025), the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection of Drexel University proudly present the Ecology of Fashion Symposium – a public learning forum where cutting-edge academic research meets creative innovation. 

Join us for an inspiring interdisciplinary exploration of sustainability in fashion, where visionary scholars, scientists, artists, designers and environmental leaders share their insights on the interconnectedness of the natural world with the garments we wear and how materials, production processes and our clothing consumption patterns impact the environment. Through thought-provoking talks, hands-on workshops and dynamic discussions, you'll discover groundbreaking practices and innovative ideas transforming approaches to fashion today. 

The Ecology of Fashion Symposium Schedule 

10:00-11:15 a.m. 
Material Matters Panel 

• 10:00 a.m. - Welcoming Remarks 

• 10:05 a.m. - Fungal Couture – Philip Ross, Co-founder, MycoWorks 

• 10:20 a.m. - Flax for Linen: The Lowest Impact Textile – Kathleen Webber, Professor of Journalism, Freelance Journalist and Researcher in sustainable global fashion, The College of New Jersey

• 10:35 a.m. - A Practical Assessment of Native North American Fiber Plants and their Potential to Preserve Biodiversity – Mitch Frank, teaching faculty in design studies, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison 

• 10:50 a.m. - Material Matters Panel moderated by Marina McDougall, Vice President of Experience and Engagement, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University 

11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
Material Matters Demonstrations: Philly Dye Club & Mitch Frank 

• Mitch Frank: Weaving Demo 

• Philly Dye Club: Eco Printing Demo, Mending, Upcycled Wardrobe, and Hands-on Ink Workshop 

1:05-1:45 p.m.
Lightning Talks 

• 1:05 p.m. - Cultivating Cross-Cultural Sustainability in Fashion Education– Jaeyoon Jeong, Associate Teaching Professor of Fashion Design, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, Drexel University

• 1:20 p.m. - Upcycling Concept of Banarasi Saree, The Cultural Bangladeshi Attires – Sadia Tarannum, Master’s Student in Fashion Design, Drexel University 

• 1:35 p.m. - Domestic Manufacturing Utilizing Sustainable Materials – Drew Veloric, Natural Materials Designer, DrewVeloric.com 

1:50-3:05 p.m. 
Manufacturing Consumerism Panel 

• 1:50 p.m. - Material Changes: The Marketing of Semi-synthetic Textiles during the 1930s – Clare Sauro, Director of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University 

• 2:05 p.m. - Everything Old is New Again: Sustainable Practices in Historical Context – Dr. Jennifer Farley Gordon, Independent Researcher, Writer, and Curator

• 2:20 p.m. - Visualizing Slow Fashion: Communicating Sustainable Fashion through Romanticizing Hands – Arti Sandhu, Associate Professor of Fashion Design, School of Design, University of Cincinnati 

• 2:35 p.m. - Manufacturing Consumerism Panel moderated by Rachel Higgins, Co-founder, PA FiberShed 

3:10-3:40 p.m. 
Manufacturing Consumerism Demonstrations: Urban Textile Ecosystems Immersive Experience 

• Immersive Experience – Chris Baeza, Associate Program Director and Assistant Teaching Professor of Fashion Industry & Merchandising, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, Drexel University 

3:45-5:25 p.m. 
Fashion Futures Panel 

• 3:45 p.m. - Advancing Circularity: Innovative Approaches to Mechanical Textile Recycling for High-Content Recycled Yarns and Nonwoven Fabrics – Kendall Ludwig, Master’s Student, Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware 

• 4:00 p.m. - XXXX WEAR: A Discovery Learning Approach to Sustainable Fashion – Miranda Rack, Master’s Student, Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware 

• 4:25 p.m. - ReSpool: A Regional Model for Textile Circularity – Kelly Cobb, Associate Professor, Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware

• 4:40 p.m. - Fashion Futures Panel moderated by Ali Howell Abolo, Associate Professor and Program Director of Fashion Design, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, Drexel University 

5:10 p.m. 
Closing Remarks – Ali Howell Abolo