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Michelle Gabriel
Educator - Researcher - Strategist - PhD Candidate
Professional Background
Michelle Blair Gabriel is a renowned educator, researcher, and strategist specializing in social impact and fashion sustainability. With an extensive career spanning over 15 years in the industry, she is dedicated to advocating for sustainable practices in the fashion sector. Her insights into the dynamics that drive consumer perceptions around value in fashion have positioned her as a thought leader, influencing conversations on how to build a more equitable global fashion landscape. As the Graduate Program Director for Sustainable Fashion at Glasgow Caledonian New York College, Michelle leverages her practical experience and academic knowledge to shape the future of sustainable fashion education.
Michelle's diverse professional journey reflects her commitment to sustainability. She has held various influential roles, including Senior Design Manager, Product Development Manager, and Director of Career Services and Strategic Partnerships, showcasing her versatility and depth of expertise across multiple aspects of the fashion industry. Her work at organizations such as Mara Hoffman and Soft Clothing has been central to integrating sustainable practices within larger fashion frameworks, ensuring that both ethical and artistic standards are upheld.
Education and Achievements
Michelle's educational background underscores her robust foundation in both practical and theoretical aspects of fashion and sustainability. She holds a Master of Science in Marketing, Sustainability, and Fashion from Glasgow Caledonian New York College, which is a testament to her commitment to bridging the gap between fashion and sustainable business practices. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design from the esteemed University of Cincinnati, where she honed her skills in design and fashion principles.
Currently, Michelle is working towards her PhD at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, part of Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. Her research focuses on understanding how cultural and economic systems shape value perceptions within the fashion industry, with the aim of promoting more equitable practices. This educational pursuit further solidifies her expertise and passion for aligning fashion with social impact。
Achievements
Throughout her career, Michelle has made significant strides in the areas of fashion design and sustainable business strategy. Notably, she has served as an Adjunct Professor of Impact Focused Business Strategy at her institution, where she helps mold the next generation of fashion leaders to prioritize sustainability and social responsibility in their work. Her consulting work, including positions as a Managing Director and Senior Designer, emphasizes her ability to influence brand direction and innovation, driving companies towards more sustainable operations.
By advocating for strategic partnerships and enhancing career services, Michelle plays a pivotal role in creating professional opportunities for students and emerging professionals in the sustainable fashion space. Her commitment to social impact is evident in her tireless efforts to intertwine educational outcomes with real-world applications, ensuring that her students are not only well-versed in sustainable practices but are also ready to lead the charge in transforming the industry.
Michelle Gabriel's work exemplifies the integration of education, business sustainability, and social equity, making her a formidable figure in the ongoing quest for change within the fashion industry.
Highlights
Very proud to share a recent publication with all of you!
Over the past year, I have served on a task force with Jessica Schreiber of FABSCRAP, Alissa Westervelt of NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY), and Imran Islam, PhD, MBA, MEngg of Fashion Institute of Technology for the City of New York to address the environmental and social impacts of city-purchased textile goods in accordance with Local Law 112 of 2021.
The outcome of our work is the report "Achieving Impact Reductions for Textile-Based Goods Purchased by the City of New York." This report provides a methodology and recommendations for assessing impacts and adopting environmentally preferable purchasing of textiles by City agency partners, offering crucial guidance amid systemic data gaps and infrastructure challenges. You can read it here>> https://lnkd.in/eF_ti462
Local Law 112 of 2021 represents groundbreaking progress by the City of New York, positioning NYC at the forefront of progressive textile-focused local legislation. We aim for this report to be a valuable resource for municipalities nationwide seeking innovative approaches to tackle the lifecycle impacts of textiles in their communities.
Thank you to the New York City Council and Office of the Mayor of New York City for your leadership on this important issue and to the team at NYC Mayor's Office of Contract Services for the facilitation and support including David Garfinkel and Amanda Carrington! #Sustainability #TextileIndustry #EnvironmentalImpact
I'm excited to be speaking at the Sustainable Fashion Forum this April 17-19th in Austin, Texas.
Join me for an insightful discussion about the rapidly evolving fashion policy ecosystem and the urgent need for meaningful regulation. We'll focus on the 'hows' of navigating the new and nuanced space while considering all fashion system stakeholders.
Register for the conference at the link below. I can't wait to see you there!
https://lnkd.in/e49deDcz
