INTEGRATING DIGITAL TOOLS IN TEXTILE AND FASHION EDUCATION: A PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The textile and fashion industries generate vast environmental impacts (e.g. ~92 million tons of waste/year, prompting a shift toward digital and sustainable practices. This study examines how incorporating digital tools—3D CAD/virtual prototyping, AI-driven analytics, and e-learning platforms—into fashion education can bolster creativity, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Using mixed methods (surveys of 150 design students and 20 faculty, plus 10 industry interviews), we evaluate technology adoption, learning outcomes, and sustainability awareness. Results show high uptake of design software (e.g. 82% of students using 3D platforms), which correlates with improved design precision (+35%) and less material waste (–40%) via virtual sampling. Educators report that digital tools increase student engagement and align instruction with industry workflows. These findings support global sustainability goals: virtual prototyping can cut up to ~80% of fabric waste, echoing UN SDG 12’s call for efficient productions We recommend curriculum updates, faculty training, and industry partnerships to close the digital skills gap. The paper underscores that digital literacy is now a cornerstone of sustainable, industry-relevant fashion education