Abstract

This article responds to a growing need for taking an intersectional approach to knowledge production of sustainable fashion, as cultural institutions have committed to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals since 2015. It investigates to what extent museums in Western fashion capitals advocated for artists, designers, and fashion brands with circular design practice and social sustainability in mind. Adopting a design history approach, this article will compare two case studies: “Fashioned from Nature” (2018–2019) at the Victoria and Albert Museum and “Knowing Cotton Otherwise” (2022–2023) at the Fashion for Good Museum. These case studies are grounded in archival research, curators’ lived experiences, and formal interviews. The first section of the article analyzes the complicated relationships between sustainability policies, museums, and fashion. The second illuminates different curatorial strategies and the limitations in making those exhibitions. It investigates how curators attempt to incorporate detailed research into the contemporary history of sustainable fashion and reveal hidden stories. The last section discusses the shifting landscape of sustainable fashion represented in museums. Interactive learning programs are becoming a primary platform for engaging younger audiences. The article affirms that both the fashion industry and museums have recognized that passive looking is not enough; collectivity and a community mindset are needed to create tangible change.