• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.216-226
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• 2015

This study identifies factors of perceived risk of up-cycling fashion products and investigates perceived risk factors that influence consumers' trust, purchase intention, and recommendation intention towards upcycling fashion products. We also examine the relationship of trust, purchase intention, and recommendation intention for upcycling fashion products. A qualitative research method using a free narrative form and depth interview were used. The perceived risk from up-cycling fashion products generated 5 factor solutions: aesthetic risk, sanitary risk, social risk, performance risk, and economic risk. Next, 201 effective data were collected from a questionnaire survey and analyzed with SPSS 22.0. The results are summarized as follows. First, aesthetic risk and performance risk had a negative effect on products. Second, aesthetic risk and performance risk had negative influence on purchase intention for upcycling fashion products. Third, performance risk had a negative impact on recommendation intention for upcycling fashion products. Fourth, trust had positive effect on purchase intention and recommendation intention for upcycling fashion products. The results of the current study provides various theoretical and practical implications for marketers and retailers interested in up-cycling fashion products.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.131-148
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• 2021

Upcycling is a sustainable way to recycle waste resources and solve the global problem of environmental pollution. Upcycling is now attracting attention as fiberization and the disposal of waste clothing have become a serious issue. However, the customer's willingness to purchase upcycled products should be increased by propagating that the product value of a reborn commodity is of high value; these products are meant for new purposes and prepared with recycled materials. In this study, we created 11 designer items by applying an eco-friendly concept in the design process of upcycled textiles and products. From 2020 to 2021, a PBL(Problem Based Learning) curriculum was taught in design planning classes. The final 11 design items were derived after developing an eco-friendly product design for upcycled textiles. These final items were as follows: 5 fashion bags, 3 dog products, 1 clothing, 1 fashion accessory, and 1 sanitary mask design. In order to develop only one aesthetic design idea for upcycling, we considered the following features: user-centered convenience, functionality, and practicality. Then, tie-dye, drawing, patchwork, and embroidery were used to create innovative design items. The product design of recycled materials is based on high functionality, waterproofing, and the use of organic natural materials. The results of this study indicate that the creative product design of upcycling has contributed to a sustainable and eco-friendly environment. Related research studies must be conducted for innovating the continuous design process of the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.984-1003
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• 2020

The global fashion industry produces significant carbon emission and micro-plastics in oceans. Studies on sustainable design methods as such environmental issues in fashion are becoming intensely problematic. This study conducted a case study on 100 upcycle fashion brands to propose strategical upcycle fashion designs to compete in a sustainable fashion market. A literature review indicated that 3 types of textile wastes are generated as upcycling materials: post-producer, pre-consumer and post-consumer. Wastes are categorized together with 3 types of techniques: redesigning, reconstruction and handcrafting. This research derived 7 types of upcycle fashion designs that have the following features: to make luxury upcycle fashion products, to make sustainable grunge looks, to re-evaluate deadstocks, to recover vintage clothes, to convert waste into craft-arts, to offer solutions for damaged products, and to make zero-waste small fabric waste. The study results show that key drivers in the upcycle fashion design are the redesignability of materials and technique-related costs. This study implies that adopting appropriate design features can be a useful strategy for designers. New technologies will solve current problems and encourage them to design products in a new circular value system.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2014

Purchasing behavior for upcycled fashion products was examined along with analysis on environment consciousness, clothing recycling behavior, interest in fashion and awareness of upcycling. Students from middle schools, general high schools and design high schools participated in this research from August to September in 2013. 732 questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS WIN. Firstly the levels of environmental consciousness, clothing recycling behavior and interest in fashion of students were high, low and mediate respectively. Female students showed higher environmental consciousness compared to male ones and clothing recycling behavior were found to be higher in students of design high schools than those of general ones. The level of interest in fashion was found to be higher in students of general high school than those of middle school, and this was higher in design high school students than those of general ones. Secondly, more than half of students were unaware of upcycling. Female students and students of design high schools were highly aware of upcycling. Students who were aware of upcycling showed high level of environmental consciousness, clothing recycling behaviour and interest in fashion. Thirdly, students had low experiences in purchasing upcycled fashion products and the reason was lack of awareness of upcycling. The reason that students purchased upcycled fashion products was the uniqueness and design. Students who purchased upcycled fashion products showed high environmental consciousness, clothing recycling behaviour, and interest in fashion.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.73-86
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• 2024

Addressing the environmental impact of textile waste, this study explores upcycling as a sustainable fashion solution, particularly focusing on the upcycling of discarded fishing nets, which are a significant source of marine pollution. In 2018, South Korea alone produced 193.3 tons of clothing waste, refelcting a global trend, where textile waste exceedsed 92 million tons. The research methodology involved a literature review and case studies on upcycled fashion, focusing on discarded fishing nets. Designs for three outfits targeting women in their twenties were proposed and a survey was carried out to assess the their perception of upcycled fashion and the design's appeal and practicality. Under the theme, 'Marine Spirit,' the study aimed to raise awareness of marine pollution, drawing inspiration from the ocean's vibrant life. The designs diverge from the monotonous 'Casual Glam' trend, and incorporate vivid colors and asymmetrical structures for visual appeal. The practical application of fishing nets varied across the pieces, serving as fillers in transparent PVC padded coats and decorative elements in skirts and puff dresses. The distinctive properties of fishing nets provide a unique aesthetic, which resonated well with the target audience. Despite challenges in adopting eco-friendly dyeing methods and assessing mass production feasibility, the study underscores the need for continued research in sustainable textile processing. The study reaffirms the importance of sustainable fashion, highlighting the creative potential of fishing nets as a material.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.732-738
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• 2023

This study delves into the realm of upcycling beauty design by repurposing discarded CDs, magazines, and fabrics. The study outlines a meticulous process for transforming waste into beauty designs. We created three upcycling beauty design works as part of this investigation. The first creation, called Silver Leaf, uses the silver section of CDs to craft leaves and stems. Achromatic colors are used as makeup to achieve cyber-inspired imagery. After carrying out silver-gray eye makeup, the lips were completed by affixing a CD component. The second creation is a firebird crafted by cutting or folding fashion magazines to create essential items. The colorful firebird image was completed using vivid color makeup of shades such as red and yellow. After proceeding with red eye makeup, the lips were completed by cutting and pasting magazine cutouts. The third piece is a spring flower, which involved selectively cutting lace patterns to complete a beauty design extending from head to face. The colors are spring-themed and encompass pink, yellow, and blue. Pink, blue, and green eyeshadows were applied on the lace, attached from head to face, chest, and lips. This study advocates for the prospect of upcycling beauty design using sustainable materials by repurposing waste resources. It also introduces the possibilities of creative activities in this field through upcycling. The study aims to play a role in changing the perception of environmental conservation, a concern of our times, through the use of sustainable resources.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2023

Due to the current seriousness of environmental pollution and the eco-friendly movement of the fashion industry, research on sustainable fashion design is being actively conducted. In this study, consumer perception of upcycling products, are divided into image, function, and meaning; and image is further divided into shape, color, and material. It was redefined as pattern, and image recognition was evaluated among men and women in their 20s and 30s, and men and women in their 40s and 50s used as subjects. First, factors that determine each image were extracted based on qualitative analysis of the precedent cases of upcycling bags, and quantitative analysis of the subjects was induced through a questionnaire. As a result of the analysis of evaluation items related to image association, the average frequency analysis of all subjects for each stimuli and the cognitive variance of the frequency analysis by generation by gender were found to be similar. However, awareness of some stimuli by generation showed a significant difference. Overall, in the three stimuli with high overall preference, common features, such as the basic box-shaped symmetrical structure, the monochromatic color of the Munsell system, solid and practical texture, and appropriate use of patterns were identified. In addition, it was confirmed that there was a difference with factors such as femininity, simplicity, touch, and splendor in the measurement factors. In conclusion, it is considered that the main significance of this study is that it excluded the recognition and meaning of upcycling products and explored the original design and image elements of products. Therefore, it is expected that this study will be used as a basic data for responding to the gender image of each generation as an alternative method of sustainable fashion design, and it will be an opportunity to expand the scope of the study to a detailed study beyond the biased topic.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.899-918
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• 2018

Upcycling is the process of repurposing abandoned resources or useless products into products of better quality or higher environmental value. Upcycling products are evaluated to be sustainable because they demonstrate environmental values. However, domestic upcycling companies are operating on a small scale with a slow growth rate. This study aims to examine the value and risk factors of upcycling products from previous literature and clarify the effect of these ambivalent characteristics on purchase intention. This provides direction regarding factors upcycling companies should focus on. The data were collected via an online experiment with women in their 20s and 30s residing in South Korea, nationwide. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 18.0. Analysis of this data suggests that environmental, design, and self-expression value positively affect purchase intention. This extends previous upcycling literature by identifying design and self-expression value as important antecedents of purchase intention. However, in contrast to previous literature, no significant effect of performance or diversity risk was found. These results indicate that ethical attitude has a moderating effect on the relationship between environmental value and purchase intention. This study confirms that consumers intend to purchase upcycling products when they possess not only environmental value but also design and self-expression value.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.34-47
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• 2024

This study aimed to enhance public awareness of the growing issue of automobile waste and promote environmental protection by developing visually appealing and innovative clothing designs. By leveraging successful examples of upcycled fashion design and products that could recycle automobile waste, this study proposed four garment designs utilizing various materials such as seat belts, leather seat fabrics, and airbags from automobile waste. Ultimately, two of these garments were produced as physical prototypes. Findings of this study are summarized as follows. First, the development of upcycled fashion products utilizing automotive waste opened new possibilities for sustainable fashion design. This approach demonstrates potential to meet demands of modem consumers who prioritize environmental values and social responsibility. Second, the study established an important foundation for understanding market acceptance and consumer perception of upcycled fashion products using automotive waste. As consumer awareness of environmental protection grows and demand for sustainable products increases, these upcycled products are likely to gain significant traction in the fashion industry.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.73-85
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to conduct more practical subsequent research by identifying research areas through a systematic analysis of sustainable fashion design research trends. For this study, 117 journals domestic journals published between 2010 and 2020 were selected using the keyword, 'sustainable fashion'. With the research materials, six top keywords, 'zero waste', 'sustainability', 'eco-friendly', 'upcycling', 'recycling', and 'ethical', were derived. The research status was examined by year, keyword, keyword and year, and research topic. The analysis results are as follows. First, looking into the studies by year, it was found that research on sustainable fashion increased in general. Compared to 2010, the research tripled in 2020, and it was found to have increased steadily from 2018. Second, regarding the research by keyword, eco-friendly was the most common. It can be seen that research tended to focus on recycling or eco-friendliness before, but in later material design development was heading towards upcycling. Third, concerning the research by topic, case studies were found the most before, but research on design development tended to increase recently. Based on that, it is expected that the areas of sustainable fashion design that need more research will be investigated further.