Decolonial Sustainability and Ethical Creativity

In this lecture, Kat Sark explores the complex relationship between Decolonial sustainability and Ethical Creativity creativity through multi-disciplinary research, foundational concepts, and pedagogical strategies. She will discuss possible solutions for educators, researchers, and students to help transform fashion education and fashion practices, drawing on decolonial methodologies, knowledges, and practices from around the globe.

Decolonial sustainability is a call to re-conceptualize sustainability through the lens of decolonial theory, by challenging colonial legacies, colonial capitalism and power structures that have shaped our relationships with people, nature, resource and economic management. It emphasizes reclaiming Indigenous knowledge, addressing historical injustices, and fostering more equitable and just forms of environmental stewardship and social justice.

Ethical Creativity is based on ethical ways of conceptualizing, creating and designing objects and systems “with the intent to be morally good and avoid social and ecological harm” (K. Small), as well as building decolonial sustainability into creative practices. It serves community well-being and fosters better connectivity between human and the “more-than-human-world” (R. Wall Kimmerer). Ethical creativity shifts the focus from hyper-consumption and accumulation of goods and wealth, towards practices of relational reciprocity and mindful relationality.

Kat Sark examines decoloniality not just from a theoretical perspective, but also as a way of seeing the deep interconnectedness of all beings, nature and culture, and a tool for using our creative capacities for community support.

Dr. Katrina Sark is the founder of the Canadian Fashion Scholars Network, the co-founder of the Urban Chic book series published by Intellect, and the co-author of Berliner Chic: A Locational History of Berlin Fashion (2011), Montréal Chic: A Locational History of Montreal Fashion (2016), and Copenhagen Chic: A Locational History of Copenhagen Fashion (2023). Her other publications include Branding Berlin (2023), Social Justice Pedagogies (2023), a special issue on Creativity, Craft, Fashion, and Gender also in Clothing Cultures (2025) and a special issue on Ethical Fashion and Empowerment in Clothing Cultures (2021). For over eighteen years, she has taught at different universities across Canada, Denmark, Germany, and Austria, developing programs and many interdisciplinary courses in Fashion Studies, History, Theory, Cultural Studies, Media Studies, Gender Studies, Design Studies, and Creativity Studies. She is the creator of Chic podcast, and launched The Critical Pulse online magazine to create a platform for young critical voices and established experts to help reform fashion media, industry, education, as well as fashion practices and consumption. She is currently consulting for the creative industries and coaching and helping individuals with creative projects.