Samantha Alberts

Having completed my master's research on historical 4-H clothing club curricula in New York State, I have dedicated my work to uncovering the roots of sustainable fashion education and translating those findings into meaningful learning experiences for young people today. My master's thesis explored how 4-H unknowingly taught sustainable fashion practices through principles of longevity, resourcefulness, and garment care. Since then, my focus has expanded to developing a contemporary sustainable fashion curriculum for middle and high school youth in rural communities through my 4-H Sustainable Fashion Club, grounded in the belief that clothing is not simply a consumer product but a site of agency, creativity, and empowerment.