Sustainable Fashion Design Research Articles

The reDesign canvas: Fashion design as a tool for sustainability

Abstract Many of the existing tools for design in a sustainable fashion context are too complex, overly conceptual, require experts to apply, have a high cost, were created for large corporations, or fall short in holistically supporting sustainable fashion design entrepreneurial practices. Micro-sized enterprises represent a significant portion of the fashion industry and can meaningfully contribute to the transition to a more sustainable apparel and textile industry. This paper addresses this gap through the development of an original design tool, the reDesign canvas, to support design entrepreneurs in developing sustainable fashion enterprises. Informed by design thinking and systems thinking, the canvas was developed based on an in-depth review of the academic literature and the collection of qualitative data. Qualitative data were gathered through both participatory action research (PAR) and interviews with 38 sustainable fashion design entrepreneurs and experts in sustainable fashion. Both the PAR and the interviews were used to test and refine the reDesign canvas in order to ensure it meets the needs of sustainable design entrepreneurs operating micro-sized companies. The final version of the canvas is based on 12 building blocks that a design entrepreneur would encounter in building a sustainable fashion brand. The reDesign canvas can help advance both the theory and practice of sustainable fashion design.

모듈형 지속가능 패션 교육프로그램의 프레임 및 교육 영상 개발

This study focuses on developing a sustainable fashion education program for a wide range of subjects from general consumers to industry experts, and contributing to sustainable fashion and practical actions. For this purpose, we collected 20 cases of sustainable education programs in Korea and abroad, excluding university curriculums, and analyzed them by seven criteria (pursuit value of education, purpose, configuration items of program, detailed contents of education program, how to educate, education tools, differential features). The result of the case studies found that a comprehensive and flexible education program and a customized education program based on different levels are needed. Therefore, in this study, we designed the frame of education purpose, detailed contents, and the whole education program. Based on this, we constructed the structure and modules according to the type of sustainable fashion design education targets, and made a video of sustainable fashion education to use it. This study aims to present the possibility of a flexible sustainable fashion education program that can cover various stakeholders, and spread and popularize sustainable fashion education. The results of this study can be meaningful as the basic data of diversification and method research of sustainable fashion education.

헤테로토피아 공간관을 반영한 패션디자인 발상유형연구

The purpose of this study is aim to realize creative fashion design by utilizing the heterotopia spacial concept of Michel Foucalt. Derived fashion design method type by applying heterotopia spacial concept into fashion design could seek sustainable idea and realize it to creative fashion design. The results of the analysis were as follows. Heterotopia spacial concepts derived from formative analysis from painting of Rene Magritte, architecture of Rem Koolhaas are overturn, contradiction, isolation, deviation and complexity. Fashion design reflect heterotopia concept of five derived from above has been classified into five types of fashion design method. And five types of methods are spreading, inverting, dropping, stacking and crossing. Study results advantageously would be utilized for creative ideas of the implementation of sustainable fashion design.

Prospects of Sustainable Fashion Design Innovation

Prospects of Sustainable Fashion Design Innovation

A critical approach to sustainable fashion: Practices of clothing designers in the Kallio neighborhood of Helsinki

This article takes the idea of a critical approach to sustainable fashion and applies it to the practices of clothing designers and seamstresses in the Kallio neighborhood of Helsinki, Finland. These practices are described by the umbrella term “sustainable fashion.” The main questions are how do clothing designers and seamstresses practice sustainable fashion, what challenges do they face, and how do they interpret these challenges. The article offers an empirical definition of “sustainable fashion,” discusses innovative practices of sustainable fashion design in an urban context, considers the tensions within this production concept, and examines ways in which designers address and resolve such tensions. The article contributes to the discussion of a critical approach to fashion, sustainability, and entrepreneurialism in contemporary urban culture.

Development of Recycling Zero-Waste Fashion Design

Background In response to environmental problems, which are getting ever more serious in the 21st century, discussions of sustainable design are being actively conducted. This change in design paradigm means a conversion to a recycling society in which collections of the products used by consumers and produced and sold by mass production and mass consumption methods in modern society are reused and recycled into new products. The purpose of this study is to suggest a “recycling design process” as an eco-friendly zero-waste design method that can reduce waste of resources and energy by making designs that do not produce waste materials out of existing design processes that draw up, plan and materialize designs. Methods Based on a theoretical exploration of literature and internet data, this study aimed to develop designs by using various pattern compositions. Target items were in zero-waste designs completed by using 3D patterns, checking out problems and making improvements on them. Then, they were finally presented in costumes of plain patterns. Results Zero-waste designs make free conversion of thoughts possible during recycling in that they enhance the link between patterns and designs and influence each other. As the result of using Puzzle·Module·Fold·Figure Cutting as the methods of producing the works, they have the advantage of emphasizing unexpectedness and contingency. Conclusions This study verified that “recycling zero-waste designs” as an environmentallyfriendly design method that can reduce the wasting of resources and energy are suitable as an alternative of a sustainable fashion design in the 21th century by performing creative designs with design-pattern links that do not produce material wastes.

Designing Sustainable Fashion: Role of Psychosocial Factors of Fashion Consumption and the Challenges of Design

Background/Objectives: The paper presents a theoretical framework for sustainable fashion design incorporating psychosocial factors of consumption. It calls for supplementing the fashion design models which usually cover life cycle analysis with an understanding of psychosocial factors relating to consumers. The paper identifies the psychosocial factors affecting fashion consumption, examines how these factors interact and the challenges for sustainable design. Further the implications of these on sustainable design are also identified. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The research is mainly based on theoretical data from academic publications, and research journal articles. The research covers the concept of consumption, models of sustainable fashion design, the shift from emphasis on sustainable production to sustainable consumption and the challenges of the psychosocial factors on sustainable design. Findings: In the present paper, the researcher suggests that the life cycle thinking used for sustainable fashion design should be complemented with an understanding of consumer psychosocial factors to facilitate engagement and consumer attachment. A designer should be able to appreciate the interplay of a mix of psychological factors: cognitive, affective and behavioural in order to facilitate better engagement and attachment. Consumers’ sociocultural factors influencing design must also be taken into consideration. The list of psychosocial factors affecting sustainable fashion design is presented in Figure 1. These factors are similar to [14 & 15]. However challenges with respect these factors are discussed in more detail. Factors discussed are psychological factors like needs/wants, meanings of consumption in relation to personal and social identity, and social factors like life style and values and the role of person – product attachment are discussed. The challenges these factors impose on sustainable fashion design are also identified. Application/Improvements: Sustainable fashion design needs to incorporate psychosocial aspects of consumption. These would motivate designers to discover new opportunities and consider novel designs and in turn would facilitate long term relationship between product and person.

Sustainable practices and transformable fashion design – Chinese professional and consumer perspectives

ABSTRACTMany consumers are contented with the fast fashion styles, abundant choices, and affordable price. However, other consumers and environmental advocates began to question about this fast fashion system, including the problems of overconsumption and disposable clothing. As a result, many fashion practitioners and scholars have been developing different strategies and methods to minimise the fabric waste, and prolong the product lifespan through innovative design. The objectives of this study are twofold: (1) to explore various techniques for creating transformable clothing and (2) to gain a deeper understanding of how individuals (entrepreneurs, designers, professors, and consumers) respond to their perceptions of transformable clothing, and issues of sustainability in China. This study consists of three stages – design experiments, in-depth interviews, and online surveys. In stage one, various design prototypes were developed, with one of them being selected as the visual stimuli for stages two and three. According to our results, many informants and online participants supported the concept of sustainable fashion as well as the idea of transformable garments. However, many professionals had numerous concerns regarding the production cost, practicality, adaptability, and saleability.

Assessment of sustainable design practices in the fashion industry: experiences of eight small sustainable design companies in the Northeastern and Southeastern United States

ABSTRACTThe primary purpose of this research was to gain an understanding of designers’ knowledge of sustainability and investigate current practices in sustainable fashion design in order to discover what variables influence designers’ decisions during the design and product development process of sustainable fashion apparel. Qualitative, descriptive research methods, including an open-ended research guide and in-depth interviews, were used. The study focused on sustainable fashion designers from small design companies in the Northeastern and Southeastern United States. The study discusses some of the variables that impact the implementation of sustainable fashion design practices, such as current industry practices and expectations, consumer knowledge and acceptance, sustainable sourcing, production, and distribution options, as well as sustainable design education. In addition, gaps in knowledge regarding various aspects of sustainability among self-proclaimed sustainable fashion designers are identified.

Substraction cutting aplicada ao design de moda sustentável

O presente artigo traz resultados sobre a aplicação da técnica de modelagem Substraction Cutting, criada e difundida pelo autor e designer Julian Roberts no seu livro Free Cutting (2012), em linha de produção de confecção como possível metodologia de projetação para design de moda sustentável.

지속가능 패션 실용화를 위한 디자인 교육 프로그램 개발

Sustainability has been a big issue over the whole global industry lately and is an important fashion trend that reflects the modern phase of the time. The concept of sustainable fashion includes physical fashion products made from eco-friendly or recycle materials as well as ethical value such as corporate social responsibility for environment, labor or working condition. Fashion companies of advanced countries who are aware of the geo-environmental and ethical issues found that generating profits by setting trends and pursuing external beauty can no longer be the ultimate goal of fashion companies, and started to recognize the importance of sustainable fashion as a future-oriented trend. Not only fashion industry but also governments of advanced countries have been playing a leading role to educate the people regarding the importance of sustainable fashion and making large investments to foster industry specialists in educational institution. The aim of this study is to propose sustainable fashion design education program that fits the domestic university curriculum and government-leading education program in order to set the foundation for sustainable fashion industry. Thus, this study investigates successful cases of foreign government-led sustainable fashion education that can be introduced to improve domestic sustainable fashion education. The empirical study of the research is developing 12-15 week university level education program to foster specialists in sustainable fashion. The survey carried out by the students who participated in the program shows the change of perception on sustainable fashion. Developed university level program can be spread to municipal corporation, school of continuing education, and etc. in order to derive participation and problem perception of the citizens on sustainability. Developing systemized sustainable fashion design education program would be the first step of sustainable fashion by educating students who will take the leading role in the future fashion industry. Moreover, it can strongly influence future customer education as well as a special education inducing interest on sustainability in everyday life. A follow-up study is expected to serve as a foundation for sustainable fashion to take root successfully in the fashion industry.

LCD 관점에서의 지속 가능한 패션디자인 프로세스 가이드라인

The fashion industry has become more interested in sustainable fashion design due to the demand for environmental action based on increased social responsibility awareness and environmentalism. In the current sustainability fashion industry, guidelines for sustainable fashion design are essential. This study suggests guidelines for a sustainable design process based on a theoretical and practical approach. An analysis of several global fashion brands will be applied to the whole apparel design process. This paper will explore the sustainable fashion design process and deal with LCD, as an important factor, by analyzing three global fashion brands: 'H&M', 'NIKE', and 'Levi's'. These three companies are the most active in the area of sustainable performance. The sustainable fashion guidelines will be controlled based on a strategy of practical use in design for sustainable (DFS) fashion industry. The results indicate that the fashion industry has to invest heavily in the future rather than focus on short-term profits; consequently, sustainability is a new growth direction for fashion companies. In addition, the fashion industry should work towards sustainable design under a clear understanding of its goals.

Development of An Ideation Toolkit Supporting Sustainable Fashion Design and Consumption

This paper explores the potential for co-design to link sustainable consumption and production in the fashion industry. We review relevant research and perspectives and propose a co-design platform and an ideation toolkit in which users are encouraged to explore sustainability as a way of thinking at the early stages of the fashion design development process. We explain the rationale behind the ideation toolkit, its structure and demonstrate how to apply the toolkit to fashion design through a case study. Finally, we discuss both opportunities and challenges of co-designing the fashion system and its implementation in sustainable fashion and textile design education.

Application of Laser Engraving for Sustainable Fashion Design

In this paper, the novel surface effects of fashion garments through CO2 laser engraving treatment were investigated. To improve the visual appearance, the wool/polyester blended fabric was treated with ideal parameters including resolution (dpi) and pixel time (μs). The physical properties, which include weight, thickness, air permeability, thermal conductivity and tear strength, were evaluated in accordance with international specifications. This study reveals the potential of feasible fashion designs through laser engraving. The computer-aided design method can open up new possibilities for green fashion design. It is believed that fashion design with rich artistic appearances such as patterns, colors and textures can cater for fashion industries and the process can facilitate quick responses to the market.

Designing Sustainable Fashion: Possibilities and Challenges

In this study, we present a theoretical model, which draws together the elements of sustainability and fashion design. The data have been gathered from various sources, mainly academic literature, and a qualitative analysis has been carried out by following the principles of the grounded theory method: the data is analyzed by identifying and categorizing relevant concepts by using a constant comparative method, i.e. examining the internal consistency of each category. The aim of the model is to serve fashion designers, who wish to take sustainability into consideration. The analysis and the model answer the question of which principles and practices should be considered in sustainable fashion design. However, under further development, an integrated model helps to simultaneously see a number of facts and viewpoints that affect fashion production. The core category of the model is "considered take and return". It is based on design philosophies that are linked to other categories: material sourcing; fabric treatment; production methods; saving resources; societal implications; information transparency; and attachment and appreciation.

From “Green Blur” to Ecofashion: Fashioning an Eco-lexicon

Language is created or co-opted to map and navigate the new territory of developing ideas. Ecofashion is part of that mapping: encompassing terms, adopting, and adapting many theories. The signpost for the ecofashion movement was the launch of Esprit Ecollection in November 1991. Over the last fifteen years the fashion industry, educational institutions, media, and consequently consumers have become more aware of the environmental and ecological movement. Environmental, ecological, green, sustainable, ethical, recycled, organic, and inclusive (universal) fashion and fashion design, as terms, coexist, cross-fertilize, and are readily confused. The lack of discussion of the phenomenon and debate has fueled misunderstandings, and terminology (especially in the general and fashion media) is often misused.Fashion as a design discipline has been late to investigate the theoretical greening of the design production loop, lagging behind industrial design and architecture, unlike consumer activist campaigns where fashion has been targeted more than other disciplines. The situation demonstrates the tension in fashion between theoretical and practical and the immediate social, economic, and environmental impact of decisions. To go forward, we need to be proactive and visionary in ideas and specifically language. In essence, we need to know the clear meaning of the language we use. Terminology provides definition, clarity, and boundaries which may be fought or celebrated. A lexicon is required. It is timely to consider language: its past, current, and future meanings.The article will discuss the terms used and their concept, history, and reality in the fashion industry and media. It will situate fashion within design areas addressing environmental, sustainable, ethical, and inclusive (universal) design, whilst identifying new and particular emerging terms.