Redesign and upcycling – a solution for the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the clothing industry

Abstract

The paper aims to open a new field of research applicable to small and medium enterprises in the clothing industry, namely, the focus on new product design by increasing the efficiency of fabric use and recycling and a value chain perspective that concentrates on downstream in the chain. The main objective of this paper is to present how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the clothing industry can achieve a competitive advantage by using a sustainable approach. This study provides useful solutions for understanding the product development processes for fashion to rethink, reuse or upcycle the waste in the production stage. We propose a better connection between different links of the value chain: design, production, marketing to create fashion items so when possible, this waste to be used to make new products and highlights the advantages of implementing this solution. Sustainable production can be a way of gaining a competitive advantage. This strategy can be successful by integrating the vertical value chain by strengthening the creative department, fashion design, and involvement in marketing and sales. In the clothing industry, the strategy of integrating design and retail can lead to a more flexible design process and, therefore, to an increased product performance.

Evaluating Barriers, Enablers and Opportunities for Closing the Loop through ‘Waste Upcycling’: A Systematic Literature Review

“…For instance, this includes how upcycling can reduce the production of new textiles from virgin materials and hence reduce the use of water, energy and chemicals in the production process are explained [20]. In principle, upcycling increases the material efficiency, slows material flows and thereby reduces the need to extract raw materials or purchase new products contributing to environmental sustainability and optimizing the use of limited resources [19,86].…”

“…There is still relatively limited research on enablers and barriers to upcycling in business enterprises, despite a large body of research on upcycling and related technologies in various disciplines ranging from design, textile and clothing, architecture, engineering and business management in leading journals such as the Journal of Cleaner Production (Impact Factor 6.39) and The Journal of Resources, Conservation and Recycling (Impact Factor 7.04) [15,[18][19][20]. Within this context, the authors have drawn on 85 papers spanning the last two decades, to address this research gap and establish a novel action framework for business to efficiently engage in upcycling practices.…”

A Review on Sustainability Characteristics Development for Wooden Furniture Design

“…As a result, sustainability issues affect both workers (during the furniture-making process) and users [21]. This study will focus on the end-product stage instead of the manufacturing process, as control and management must begin at the early design stage to achieve sustainability in manufacturing and, ultimately, in the end products [22][23][24][25][26].…”

Fashion Upcycling: The Fashion Upcycling: The Challenges, Successes, and Solutions From A Designers Perspective

“…A few studies have focused on preconsumer textile waste as a material source for upcycling practices (Black, 2013;Cassidy & Han, 2013;Ulasewicz & Baugh, 2013). Cuc and Tripa (2018) explored upcycling during the marker making stage as part of the design process to reduce textile waste and increase profits. In Black's 2013, The Sustainable Fashion Handbook, Hermès has participated in upcycling as they have created a collection label ("Petit h"), in which they utilize the textile waste leftover from markers used when cutting garments for production as well as flawed goods (Burak, 2013;Keith & Silies, 2015).…”