• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was first, to examine the causes for the recent acceleration in the increase of textile/apparel waste and the current practices for reducing waste in the global textile and apparel industry; and second, to explore the influence of sustainability and social responsibility on fashion trends. Extensive literature on sustainable apparel and sustainable and socially responsible practices by global textile and apparel firms was reviewed in conducting this research. First, an accelerated fashion diffosion speed due to fast fashion was focused on as a cause for the increase in textile/apparel waste whereas mass customization was focused on as a potential solution for reducing waste. Then, the influence of the social trend toward sustainability and social responsibility on fashion trends was discussed, particularly the trends toward green products and recycled fashion, the trend against using real for or leather, and minimum-fabric-waste fashion in design and product development. This study furthers consumers' understanding of sustainability and social responsibility related to fashion trends and hopefully increases their consciousness in becoming socially responsible consumers. This study will also contribute to better decision-making in apparel and textile firms to produce sustainable fashion products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.6 s.154
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• pp.829-839
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• 2006

Sustainable development is generally defined as an approach that 'meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' (World Commission on Environment and Development: WCED, 1987, p. 43). The sustainable development is a holistic concept that encompasses three aspects: environmental protection, economic development, and social contribution. From the sustainable development perspective, environmental management must consider contributions to other economic and social aspects. In this sense, it differs from narrowed environmental management which focuses on only environmental impacts, and a well-being concept in Korea that mainly appeals to health. Recently, leading apparel firms, such as Nike, Otto, and Marks & Spencer, are increasingly adopting the environmental management to achieve the future competitive advantage. The environmental management can be achieved through integrated supply chain management. Despite of flowing importance of environmental supply chain management in practice, academic attention to this area has been seriously lacking. This study regards the environmental management by the sustainable development perspective as a solution for Korean apparel firms to solve their current sluggish growth. The purpose of this study was to provide Korean apparel firms with guidelines toward the environmental management based on extensive literature reviews and case studies. The paper started with two important research frameworks, the sustainable development and the environmental supply chain. Within the frameworks, the leading cases of the environmental management of Korean and foreign apparel firms were analyzed. Both macroscopic and microscopic applications of the environmental supply chain management for Korean apparel firms were suggested based on the analyses.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2007

The study aims to examine consumer awareness of green fashion products and demographic characteristics by subdividing environmentally conscious consumers of such products in the current domestic fashion market. It then compares the result with the characteristics of environmentally conscious consumers studied by 1999 in order to understand the trend of the consumer group in the fashion market and to promote the use of green fashion products. Marketing strategies for green fashion products suggested by the study are as follows: First, fashion firms are required to develop and publicize shops selling recycled or second-hand clothing that environmentally conscious consumers show constant interest. For instance, clothing patterns may be developed to enable consumers to make their kids' clothing easily at home, and various garments made from recycled materials may stimulate environmentally conscious consumers' desire to buy. Particularly, advanced technologies should be developed and publicized to manufacture garments that can excel existing ones made of normal materials in their features in order to satisfy consumers' interest in clothing made from recycled PET bottles. In addition, various natural dyes should be developed to decrease water pollution. Second, it seems imperative to develop clothing made of recycled knitted apparel that attracts consumers' interest more than ever, fashionable multi-purpose clothing, and environmentally friendly materials. As the use of natural fur or leather can cause the endangerment of wild animals and the destruction of the ecosystem, synthetic fur or leather may be used to develop sophisticated products with the same texture as real ones to attract environmentally conscious consumers' interest.