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Key research themes
1. What are the challenges and strategies for implementing sustainable design practices in fashion?
This research theme focuses on the role of fashion designers in incorporating sustainability into the design process, the practical and conceptual challenges they face, and the development and evaluation of tools and frameworks to facilitate sustainable fashion design. Understanding these aspects is critical because designers influence the entire lifecycle of fashion products, and design decisions fundamentally impact environmental and social outcomes.
Key finding: This study identifies both internal challenges (e.g., lack of consensus and knowledge about sustainable design, perceived trade-offs with aesthetics, costs, and trends) and external challenges (e.g., complexity of... Read more
Key finding: The paper categorizes existing sustainable fashion design tools into Universal, Participatory, and Assessment archetypes and proposes an innovation framework and fashion-specific sustainability model for their evaluation.... Read more
Key finding: Through grounded theory analysis of academic and qualitative data, the study develops a theoretical model centered on the 'considered take and return' core category that integrates principles such as material sourcing, fabric... Read more
Key finding: This case study and interview research identifies five sustainable design approaches in leading sustainable fashion brands, including eco-friendly materials, functional durability, reuse/remanufacturing, emotional durability,... Read more
Key finding: This qualitative study explores innovative sustainable fashion practices among independent designers and seamstresses practicing micro-scale production based on cradle-to-cradle and lifecycle thinking. It reveals practical... Read more
2. How do circular economy and closed-loop supply chain strategies advance sustainability in fashion production and operations?
This research theme investigates the application of circular economy principles and closed-loop supply chain management in fashion, focusing on waste reduction, resource efficiency, remanufacturing, upcycling, and the integration of environmental impacts in operational and manufacturing decisions. Addressing sustainability through these systemic approaches is crucial for transforming the traditionally linear and resource-intensive fashion industry into a more sustainable and economically viable model.
Key finding: This systematic literature review identifies circular economy initiatives and sustainability challenges across the fashion supply chain as primary research areas. It highlights existing drivers and barriers to implementing... Read more
Key finding: The paper reviews critical topics such as closed-loop supply chain management practices including remanufacturing and reverse logistics, corporate social responsibility schemes, and business strategy innovations that... Read more
Key finding: This study highlights the benefits of adopting circular economy principles in fashion and textiles, pointing to industry initiatives like the European Clothing Action Plan aimed at promoting reuse, recycling, and sustainable... Read more
Key finding: Through empirical study of Cape Town fashion businesses, this work reveals that while the Global North emphasizes environmental concerns in circular fashion practices like remanufacturing and upcycling, the Global South... Read more
3. What roles do consumer behavior and education play in promoting sustainable and ethical fashion consumption?
This theme explores how consumer perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors influence sustainable fashion consumption, focusing on barriers such as limited awareness, skepticism, and cultural factors, as well as educational and marketing strategies to shift consumer demand towards sustainability. Since consumer demand shapes industry practices, understanding and effectively influencing consumer behavior is essential for systemic transformation towards ethical and sustainable fashion.
Key finding: Based on qualitative interviews in Kurdistan, Iraq, this study identifies critical internal and external barriers (e.g., limited sustainable fashion knowledge, cultural norms, marketing gaps) preventing consumers from... Read more
Key finding: Using structural equation modeling on survey data from 652 Brazilian consumers, this paper elucidates that personal motivations and socio-environmental awareness significantly determine post-consumer clothing disposal... Read more
Key finding: A 2024 survey of 802 Croatian young consumers indicates that fast fashion consumption dominates despite moderate awareness of sustainability and ethical fashion concepts. Findings reveal that price remains the foremost... Read more
Key finding: This pilot qualitative research with 24 newly graduated fashion designers from China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan finds a significant gap in sustainability education within fashion curricula, although participants showed... Read more