Get to Know Titania Inglis
Titania Inglis, a part-time Lecturer at Parsons School of Fashion and new Tishman Center Affiliated Faculty, is an award-winning fashion designer who takes a cradle-to-cradle approach, applying her philosophy of lush minimalism — less, but better — to process, product, and end use. Learn more about her, her background, and her work in sustainability and fashion!Q: What inspired your interest in fashion?A: In high school, my friends and I loved to alter our vintage finds, but the first time I thought of making a career of it was at Design Academy Eindhoven, where more and more of my school projects were turning out to be wearable. Ultimately, I was fascinated with clothes for their tactile nature, for the way they interact with the human body, and for their transformative power.Q: What sparked your interest in sustainability?A: I grew up in idyllic Ithaca, New York, hiking its gorges, mountain-biking its woodland trails, and swimming under waterfalls. It was utterly clear to me from an early age that all this beauty was worth preserving.Q: How did your interest in fashion and sustainability come together?A: Straight out of school, I was quite conflicted about the idea of producing any product at all in a world with overflowing landfills. I spent a year or so researching sustainable fashion practices and designers before deciding I had a voice to add to the conversation, to help inspire the industry to take a more positive turn.Q: In your opinion, how important is sustainability in fashion?A: By definition, it's integral — if you're working unsustainably, that literally means you can't continue the same way. It's rewarding to see some larger companies starting to take these issues seriously and apply their clout to solving problems.Q: How can an aspiring fashion designer ensure they are designing sustainably?A: By carefully considering each stage of the production and consumption cycle, by asking questions about where things come from, and by thinking creatively and challenging industry norms. Compromise is key to creating a workable, desirable product; rather than kicking ourselves over any areas where we may fall short for now, it's important to keep striving to improve sourcing and production, which ultimately helps move the entire industry forward.