Designing Sustainable Fashion: Possibilities and Challenges

Abstract

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.

A Product Line Analysis for Eco-Designed Fashion Products: Evidence from an Outdoor Sportswear Brand

“…It causes much difficulty for sustainable fashion designers when integrating function, aesthetic, and sustainability into product design [32]. Allwood et al [33] compared the energy consumption for a cotton t-shirt and a viscose blouse.…”

“…They tested different textile recycling techniques with product life cycle assessment. As a result, designers selected the proper raw material in the product design stage and the suitable production process in the process design stage [32]. For example, the designers selected the degradable materials in raw-material selection if the used products collected from secondhand shops and charity systems were treated by landfill disposal [39].…”

Supplier Selection Problems in Fashion Business Operations with Sustainability Considerations

“…By forming a strategic partnership, they can potentially improve the sustainability of their business operations significantly. (4). Note that the criteria framework developed in this study can be applied for other functions in business operations of the case company.…”

“…Although the textile and fashion clothing sector has sustainable economic development, it is a threat to the environment and to social welfare owing to problems like pollution, wastes, human rights issues, etc. [4]. Therefore, achieving sustainability in textile and fashion business operations has to consider more than just economic development.…”

“…Gardetti and Torres [9] found that the textile and fashion industry make a remarkable contribution to the economy but it hurts the environment and society from the perspective of sustainability. Aakko and Koskennurmi-Sivonen [4] indicated that until recent years sustainable development and fashion could not go hand-in-hand, but there are changes nowadays [14]. Choi [15] analytically examined the optimal apparel supplier selection problem in the presence of carbon footprint taxation scheme via a dynamic programming formulation.…”