Leiden University Student Repository

Vissenberg, Tara (2022)

Reimagining Sustainable Development in the Global Fashion Industry: Views from the Andes

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

This thesis is a qualitative analysis of how Andean Indigenous Knowledge (IK) challenges prevailing assumptions about sustainable development. Through the examination of the global fashion industry, the study hypothesises that Andean IK challenges dominant beliefs in economic growth and technological progress as preconditions for sustainable development and reveals its anthropocentric nature. A thematic document analysis of content produced by two Andean fashion brands – Allpamamas and Pachacuti – reveals the importance of respecting nature as an innate part of human well-being and achieving sustainable development. Thus, a framework is created to reimagine sustainable development through the re-evaluation of the relationship between humans and nature, broadening the potential for policies to address sustainability in the global fashion industry.

Decentring International Relations

Indigenous Knowledge

Andes

Global Fashion Industry

Sustainable Development

Relationality

Biocentrism

Thematic Document Analysis

Author

Vissenberg, Tara

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Culture and Politics

Supervisors

Smith, K.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en