Towards a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry
For International Women’s Day, Sabine Weber (MES '15, PhD '22), an apparel engineer and Environment alumni that won the 2024 Recent Alumni Inspiration Award, reflects on the role of women in the fashion industry and the opportunities and barriers to creating positive change.
Estimated time: 2 minutes
When I was in high school, I told my parents I wanted to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Unfortunately, they strongly opposed the idea. Their resistance was so significant that I ended up doing an apprenticeship as a banker instead. But the passion never left me.
One day, my sister came home and mentioned that the mother of a girl in her class, Dorothee Keysers, worked in the fashion industry. I decided to reach out to her, and she became both a mentor and a friend. She encouraged me to follow my passion but also gave me practical advice on the skills, training, and programs I would need to succeed. Thanks to her guidance, I eventually became an apparel engineer and worked in the fashion industry in Europe for nearly 20 years before moving to Canada.
Today, I teach students, and I’m often surprised by how many of them are pursuing their dreams despite a lack of support from their parents. Because of my own experience, I see my role as more than just that of a teacher—I strive to be a mentor and advisor, helping them navigate their journey and find their place in this industry.
But beyond teaching, I think a lot about the broader issues in the fashion industry. Fashion has always employed millions of women to sew garments, often providing them with their first source of income—even when they cannot read or write. And while this is empowering, it’s also deeply troubling. Too many of these women are exploited, earning far below a living wage and working under unsafe or unfair conditions. My wish is to see them paid fairly and treated with dignity—to have access to decent working environments where their contributions are truly valued.
Likewise, I want to see more women not only in production roles but also in leadership positions, such as CEOs, managers, and decision-makers. Unfortunately, we’re still far from achieving gender equality at higher levels. It’s time for the industry to embrace more diversity—not just in terms of gender but also in materials, perspectives, and people. By broadening our definition of beauty and inclusivity, we can drive innovation and create a more sustainable, ethical industry.
Thanks to mentors like Dorothee Keysers and others who believed in me, I’ve been able to combine my passion for fashion and sustainability. Today, I am committed to passing that forward—by mentoring students, encouraging them to think critically about the industry, and helping them create positive change.
International Women's Day happens every year on March 8 to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. The day has occurred for well over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, the day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.
