EDFD301X Brazil: Global Community Fashion Design Partnership 3 cr.

A small team of advanced students will be offered the opportunity to live and work with the artisans of Terra Prometida, in Fortaleza, Brazil. The Design Partnership will directly address the goal of sustainable employment for a group of women who are perfecting their apparel and accessory design skills focusing on renda de bilro or Brazilian bobbin-lace. The groundwork for this exchange is the work of a non-profit organization, Fairloom. The challenge is to find products that can be marketed in the United States, yielding enough of an income for the women to support themselves as well as continue to support their on-going business endeavor. Students will have projects to complete on their own as well as participate in the required workings of a small fashion/ textile business. The first half of the trip will be spent finding inspiration in the surroundings. Along with starting the design process of their own concepts, students will help the women with some fashion production elements. The second half of the trip will be used to collaborate with the women on design ideas for garments and accessories. The real privilege of this situation is being invited into a community so different and yet with such shared values and interests.

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All College Elective