Dr. Jin Lam, Associate Professor at the School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been at the forefront of integrating social care into fashion education. In a recent interview with ESG Research and Sustainable Fashion Hub, Dr. Lam discussed two pivotal projects that exemplify the social care function of fashion: a service-learning trip to Rwanda in Africa and the project “Promoting Self-Esteem and Quality of Life in Community Textile Arts Participation for Older Adults: A Social Capital Approach,” which has been recognised as a highly commended Research Project of the Year by the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2024. These initiatives highlight how fashion can empower vulnerable groups while providing students with valuable hands-on experience, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of the fashion industry.
Rwanda Service-Learning Trip: A Mutual Exchange of Skills and Culture
Service-Learning at PolyU is a specially designed subject that includes a significant service component, enabling students to apply their skills and knowledge to tackle complex social issues, fostering empathy and civic responsibility. In the summer of 2024, Dr. Lam led a diverse group of PolyU students from various academic disciplines, ranging from fashion and design to engineering and so on, on a two-week trip to Rwanda, aiming to make an impact on the local community by promoting fashion for sustainable living.
Six months before the trip, Dr. Lam conducted a field trip to Rwanda to understand the living, cultural, and commercial situation of the local people and to identify their fashion-related needs. She observed that many local women in Rwanda possess exceptional sewing skills, enabling them to cut various pieces of cloth by hand and sew garments without relying on traditional paper patterns. Remarkably, they can complete a three-piece outfit — comprising a base, jacket, and skirt — in less than half a day, demonstrating a high level of proficiency.
Despite their impressive textile abilities, these women face economic challenges due to limited educational opportunities and a lack of marketing skills, which hinders their ability to generate substantial income. Consequently, the local tailoring industry remains stagnant and struggles to achieve sustainable profitability.
After undergoing pre-departure training for two weeks, PolyU students quickly equipped themselves with sewing and pattern-cutting skills in preparation for the trip. During the visit to Rwanda, these students engaged in collaborative efforts with local women and students from the Centre for Champions (CFC), a non-governmental organization in Rwanda, employing a cooperative design model. The students applied their knowledge to overcome language and technological barriers, providing mentorship to local tailors in three key areas:
1. Developing sample clothing catalogs to effectively communicate the range of garments they can produce, thereby enhancing marketing strategies and increasing potential earnings.
2. Teaching pattern cutting skills to facilitate the transition from single-piece to multi-piece production, thereby improving productivity through a more scientific and comprehensive approach to garment construction.
3. Introducing contemporary urban fashion trends to the region, which is rich in its own unique aesthetic, to diversify and enrich local clothing styles.
Confronted with a garment-making process that diverges significantly from local traditions, Rwandan tailors gain new insights through this practical educational experience. Dr. Lam noted, “Once students have acquired substantial knowledge, they can disseminate it further. The impact extends beyond our intensive two-week program in Rwanda, enabling local villagers to continue developing within their cultural context, thereby achieving sustainable long-term benefits.”
On the final day of the visit, PolyU students and local villagers co-designed a series of clothes and collaborated to present a distinctive fashion show. This event showcased the intersection of contemporary fashion and traditional aesthetics, with participants from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds contributing vibrant new perspectives to the Rwandan fashion scene. For the PolyU students, this experience was transformative. They gained invaluable insights into applying their academic knowledge to real-world challenges, enhancing their problem-solving and cross-cultural communication skills. The immersive experience encouraged them to reflect on their roles as socially responsible individuals, inspiring them to incorporate sustainable practices into their future endeavors. Through this mutual exchange, students not only contributed to the local community but also enriched their own educational journey.
Fashion as a Tool for Empowering the Elderly
In discussing the project “Promoting Self-Esteem and Quality of Life in Community Textile Arts Participation for Older Adults: A Social Capital Approach,” which has been recognised as a highly commended Research Project of the Year by THE Awards Asia 2024, Dr. Lam articulated the project’s foundational objectives. She observed that elderly individuals, particularly those with dementia, have specific clothing needs, such as comfortable collar designs, front pockets, and large, easy-to-fasten buttons. A well-designed garment not only provides comfort and warmth but also preserves the dignity of the elderly and enhances their self-esteem.
To address these needs, Dr. Lam led students from the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) in community-based activities. Collaborating with retired volunteers who had worked in the textile industry, the students formed multiple groups to share their knowledge of clothing design. Together, they engaged with the elderly to understand their daily clothing requirements, facilitating the co-creation of senior fashion.
Dr. Lam emphasized, “The study aims to address certain societal challenges. If I work alone, my efforts are limited. However, by mobilizing students to collaborate with retired volunteers, we can sustain ongoing efforts. These groups can independently organize visits to design clothing for elderly individuals living alone and conduct workshops in community centers.”
Such community initiatives use clothing as a bridge to connect with the elderly and retired individuals, thereby enhancing the self-confidence of the elderly, improving the living standards of those living alone, and incorporating functional design to ease their daily lives. Beyond aesthetics, these garments hold significant importance in improving the overall quality of life for the elderly.
Fostering Social Responsibility and Sustainable Fashion
Dr. Lam believed that students can significantly enhance their social responsibility and sense of mission through active participation in service learning and community engagement activities. This real-life education provides students with the opportunity to interact directly with their target groups, moving beyond theoretical classroom scenarios. This experiential learning approach enables students to comprehend that fashion extends beyond mere commercial endeavors, it requires an understanding of its intrinsic meaning and value. Consequently, students are encouraged to design functional clothing that addresses the specific needs of various populations.
Through continuous design innovation, students can contribute to altering existing societal conditions or addressing specific social issues. This process not only fosters a sense of purpose, but also embodies the principles of sustainable fashion within the realm of humanistic care.
