• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.806-814
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• 2011

A solar jacket, which utilizes solar energy for generating electricity, is an example of clothing developed by the fusion of multiple technologies; such fusion of technologies can lead to further developments in the clothing industry and other industries in general. Many research institutes and garment manufacturing companies in Europe and America are developing solar garments; various solar-based products manufactured using solar cells, photovoltaic batteries, etc. are being sold at high prices. The purpose of this study was to investigate the development status of solar garments and their application for generating photovoltaic energy; the study also identified the type of design and upper body clothing preferred by Korean in their early 20s. The survey participants were 188 university students aged between 20 and 25. The design of the proposed six types of solar clothing was evaluated and rated; they were then ranked on the basis of the ratings. A survey on the management of solar garments was conducted, and ratings were assigned according to a 5-point Likert scale, with 5 indicating the strong affirmation. The survey results showed that among the six types of clothing, protective clothing (50%) and sportswear (22%) were more preferable than the others (working clothes (16%), casual clothes (3%), everyday wear(6%), and suits(1%)). Among the six proposed designs, the jumper design (22%) and jean jacket design (21%) were preferred over the others (casual jacket (19%), casual jacket I (15%), classic suit (14%), and climbing jacket (9%)). Factorial analysis of the management of solar garments revealed that the most important factors were the properties of the solar cell and time required for battery charging, and the second important factors were clothing weight and comfort.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.5 s.164
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• pp.765-776
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• 2007

Customer expectations and requirements for products play an important role in product planning for companies and decision making process for the consumer. These expectations are expressed by product qualities that consumers consider important when they purchase. Therefore, to identify quality elements that reflect consumer requirements would be a useful guide for companies. The purposes of this study are to find out quality factors of apparel product, to identify apparel product quality elements using Kano's theory, to find attributes of product which improvement are required. Women over 20 years-old from metropolitan areas in South Korea participated in the study and a quota sampling method was used. A questionnaire was arranged with four separate subject sections, importance of quality, Kano's questionnaires, and demographics. Data from 525 questionnaires were used for the statistical analysis. The results were as follows: Six dimensions of product quality(i.e., usefulness, performance, aesthetic, symbol, individuality and appearance) were identified. According to Kano's quality elements, performance was categorized into must-be quality which could lead to product dissatisfaction. Usefulness and appearance were categorized into one-dimensional quality which lead to both satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Aesthetic, symbol, and individuality was categorized into attractive quality which could lead to satisfaction. Findings of this study provide both industry and academic researchers with a guide to increase customer satisfaction in the product development process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1253-1264
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• 2010

This research is an in-depth study on the differences of cosmetics advertising and brand representation between Korean companies and Chinese companies. In addition, it studies the preferences of cosmetics consumption in Korea and China. To study these topics, two major methods are applied to magazine advertising analysis and consumer research. Analysis objects are the magazine advertisements of the Korean brands Mamond and Laneige, which entered the China market more than 5 years ago; the 64 advertisements are evenly split between Koreans and Chinese. The objects of the survey are 470 females between the ages 20 and 30 (237 from Korea and 233 from China). The results were as follows. First, Chinese advertisements use intense appeal in which the types of advertisement appeal are highly preferred. Second, ordinary models are highly preferred. Second, (on the nationality of the models) Chinese and Korean models are preferred in comparison to western models. Third, (as shown in the survey) Koreans and Chinese preferred magazine advertisements with headlines and copies. Four, blue colors are commonly used in the advertisements; however, the survey shows that the Chinese consumers prefer gray colors. Furthermore, from this study, there is a significant dynamic between the brand image and consumer satisfaction as well as the re-purchase intention.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.978-987
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• 2015

This study investigates the awareness levels of Korean textile companies and develops appropriate response plans for the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. The study also explores practical and realistic directions that the Korean textile industry must initiate. A qualitative study was conducted on 10 individuals for a more in-depth and demonstrative understanding that provide a better awareness on the responses of the textile industry towards the Korea-US FTA. The results of this study are as follows. First, the effect of the Korea-US FTA on the textile industry was insignificant. Second, industry members determined that fabric sectors and specialized fabrics (such as industrial materials and finished clothing products) could realize benefits through the Korea-US FTA. Third, industry members emphasize that the current focus is on FTAs by countries that have solidified their positions as manufacturing and sewing bases for the US and Europe (such as Southeast Asia) and not the Korea-US FTA. Based on results acquired through this study, the response measures to enter the U.S. market are as follows. First, the industry must develop high-performance and high value-adding direct export products suited to the needs of the US market in order to realize the benefits of the Korea-US FTA. Second, the industry and government must cooperate to actively host and participate in overseas trade shows that can actively open sales channels within the US. Third, the self-sustainability of textile companies must be cultivated through continuous and focused government training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.462-473
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• 2008

In recent years, Korea's apparel exports to the USA have faced a great threat, as the trade environment around the world has changed continually. The purpose of this study is to analyze the competitive position of Korean apparel exports to the USA, and to enhance export competitiveness by applying to offshore sourcing. The trade data of the Office of Textiles and Apparel(OTEXA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce were selected for inquiry about export competitiveness of apparel products made in Korea. In addition, we targeted members of the Korea Apparel Industry Association among the 500 exporters of clothing items in "The Import and Export Textile Product 2003." A total 70 sheets were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Korean apparel exports to USA have decreased by 20-35 percent per year since 2005 under the Free Trade Area, showing that Korean apparel industries have not adapted to the new trade environment. Although Korean apparel exports to USA have indicated a trade surplus from now on, Korean apparel industries should find new ways to overcome this situation, diminishing exports and increasing imports. 2) Korean apparel companies selected more offshore sourcing than domestic sourcing. Also, as Korean apparel companies manufactured apparel products offshore, foreign subcontracting outranked manufacturing in their own foreign plants. When they chose foreign countries to source, they turned mainly to China and Vietnam. Also, they considered the target country's manufacturing price, labor stability, apparel products, quality, lead time, and so on. In order to increase apparel exports, Korean apparel industries should focus more on developing competitively new apparel products, improving the ability of sourcing management, and establishing on-the-spot agencies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1112-1124
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• 2011

The development of computer graphics and Internet technology has created a 3D Web-based virtual world that has transformed the global fashion industry environment. In this study, the application cases of 3D virtual fashion education were analyzed to discuss the necessity and application of a 3D apparel CAD curriculum as part of a special education for global fashion talent at Korean fashion-related colleges. Prior studies, literature, photo data and Internet data (in and out of Korea) were used for this study. The demonstration case studies were conducted for the virtual fashion education 'SLCC 2007' of Buffalo State College (U.S.), 'Ratava's Line (2004)' of SFU/FIT Collaborative Design Project (Canada and U.S.) and '2011 Graduation Fashion Show' of Ueda Fashion College (Japan). The results of the study show that the 3D apparel CAD system (as a core technology of the IT fashion industry) would allow the current mass production concept to change to a new paradigm of 'mass customization' along with new fashion business types that include global fashion companies and Web-based Internet, mobile and virtual-world shopping malls. In addition, it appears that the system should be included in the curriculum of fashion-related colleges and institutes to educate technical designers for the global fashion industry and global fashion talent with comprehensive system operation and management ability, and to promote single proprietor companies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.5 s.153
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• pp.788-799
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze fashion merchandising process, to apply customer information in merchandising process and to examine customer management strategies of fashion industry in on-line and off-line channel. In depth, face to face interviews with structured questionnaires were conducted with MD and customer managers from selected 4 brands, one from each categories of men's, women's, casual and sports wear. Key findings of the study were as follows: First, they followed fashion merchandising process of 18 steps and collected trend information and sales data were applied to planning, selling/promoting process to plan season concept, design, and promotion activity. Second, commonly applied customer information types in fashion merchandising process were all from indirect information collected from sales data and forecasting companies. However, casual and sports wear conducted consumer monitoring activity f3r collecting customer data directly from customer participation. Third, in off-line channel, customers are segmented by amount of purchase they make in a specific time period and all the categories show high interest in valuable customers. However, only men's and woman's wear conducted promotion activities for valuable customers as a differentiated marketing strategy. In on-line channel, companies were interacting with the customers through internet web site to determine their demands. In conclusion, this study has significance in that it propose the necessity and strategy of differentiated customer management approaching by analyzing and comparing fashion merchandising activity process cases.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.67-81
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• 2004

This research demonstrates clothing consumption values, fashion preferences of career women from the early 1920s to late 1930s. And having thorough understanding of values and preferences, allows us to establish marketing strategies for clothing companies. The main purpose of this study is (1) to formalize consumer group based upon the clothing consumption values, (2) to find for characteristics of consumer depending on classification of consumption value in clothing, (3) to understand the preferences of career women about fashion trends. Analyzing data was performed 292 copies, resulting factor analysis, Cluster analysis, X-test, Anova, Tukey test, t-test, frequency analysis, and reliability analysis. This paper showed 7 distinctive characteristics of career women about clothing consumption value. These characteristics can be listed as 1) value of brand image, 2) value of self-expression, 3) functional values, 4) epistemic values, 5) coordination values, 6) social values 7) psychological values. Importantly, brand image value became most significant aspects among 7 factors. Analyzing consumers based upon stated 7 factors, it was found that they are segregated into 4 groups; Self-expressive Group, Psychological Stability Group, Functional Group, Social Group. Secondly, for fashion trend preferences, self-expressive group, psychological stability group, and functional group favored Romantic Feminine Style respectively. Social Group showed preference in Nu-Basic'. The reason for such trend dealt with fabric materials and colors. Finally examining population statistics, younger generations showed more preferences in Nu-Basic', and consumers from ages of 26 to 28, 32 to 34 showed preferences in Romantic Feminine' regardless of their household income, clothing related expenditures, jobs, and education level. On the other hand, 'Modem Classic' was popular among college graduates and 'Paradise' was somewhat less popular among all ages except from ages of 32 to 34, consumers consumption 300,000Won to 400,000Won on clothing related expenditures. And 'Energy' seemed to attract more highly educated females, who had more than masters in degrees with over 300,000 to 400,000Won for clothing related expenditures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.239-250
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• 2002

The purpose of the study was to explore the information activities of wedding dress shops and how companies' characteristics (the number of business year and the location of shops) and information users'characteristics (the year of career) influenced on utilization of information (fashion information, market information and internal information). In addition, the study was to investigate ratings of the importance of the competitive means. The questionnaire was revised by the researchers on the base of preceding research studies after interviewing wedding dress industry workers and performing a pilot survey. The total l10 copies were distributed to the workers of the wedding shops located in the city of seoul. Fifty six copies from the shops in Kangnam area were returned, and 38 copies at Kangbuk area. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Duncan's tests were used. The results from the study are follow. 1. The heavily utilized fashion information was collected from international and domestic wedding magazine by the respondents for their merchandise and design planning. 2. According to the companies'characteristics (the number of business year and the location of shop), the 50∼10 year-old companies collected fashion information from international fashion shows, domestic wedding/fashion magazine reporters, and utilized sales data as internal information sources than any other companies. The shops in Kangnam area used international fashion information and market information on popular/unpopular goods more than other shops. 3. According to information users'characteristics (the year of career), the 3-5 year-experienced workers utilized domestic fabric converters as an information source, lists of popular/unpopular goods as well as future forecasting information as internal information more any other workers. 4. Dress design, fabrics and customer service before wedding were considered as very important competitive power by wedding shop workers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.59 no.7
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• pp.50-64
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• 2009

In current society, products and services are positioned to match customers' lifestyles and emotions. One example of such can be collaboration strategies. Various types of collaboration can be found and should be applied to academic research in terms of fashion designing as well as in marketing. As a result, this research focuses on defining collaboration and identifying its different forms. Case studies are provided for each form of collaboration. A set of emotional factors required for collaboration and a domestic fashion brand is selected in order to carry out analysis and design production. As a result of this study, the following conclusions were reached. First, collaboration can be defined as two or more companies, brands or even individuals working together for an agreed period of time by sharing core competencies and advantages in order to pursuit profit and value creation. Second, collaboration types can be specified into two categories which are collaboration between companies within the fashion industry and collaborations with companies outside the fashion industry. In addition, companies may collaborate with the purpose of enhancing value, broadening its areas of business and to execute an event. Third, according to the case studies examined, effects of collaboration can be upgrade of brand images, variety of promotional benefits and increase in sales. Fourth, the selections of collaboration targets were made. MOGG and Sex&the City were chosen in order to apply collaboration strategies in line with promoting the domestic womens' wear market. Fifth, by considering and applying all the findings from the research, the limited edition line was produced under the design concept of 'Sex and the City with MOGG'.