• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.60 no.8
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• pp.151-167
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• 2010

This research is to analyze ethics in fashion design for more valuable and sustainable human life against the increasing alienation of the human being, the global ecological crisis resulted from contemporary consumption society. I expect that it can be helpful to plan ethical fashion design practice more effectively. For this, the documentary study and practical case study have been executed. The results are as follows. The ethics in design can be defined as the responsibility to reform the social, environmental problem of consumptive design, to sustain together without human alienation, environment disruption and to do social good for total human being ultimately. The ethical design practice means to suggest solutions to problems of human rights and environment and to act willingly. Based on this, ethical fashion design appeared as responsible design solution which has two directions. One is the fashion design for coexistence and sharing, including the design for all which considers even underprivileged minority, the design to promote public issues as well as to donate some profits. The other is the eco fashion design for sustainable environment, including eco-friendly design which is reductive and slow in whole design process, the design to inform the seriousness of environmental crisis as well as to donate some profits. The last one of the most important ethical responsibility as fashion designer is to abide by vocational ethics, that is, the prohibition of design piracy.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2020

The fashion industry has faced environmental, social, and ethical issues due to increased interest in ethical consumption. Numerous ethical studies have been conducted in the fashion industry. This study looked at the current state of research by year, academic journal, and detail in major related papers published in Scopus, KCI and KCI between 2009 and 2019. Ethical fashion studies began to appear in 2009 and were concentrated in certain academic journals and focused on fashion marketing and fashion design. Topics in ethical fashion were terms such as sustainable, eco-friendly, up-cycling, recycling, eco, zero-waist, and organic. In ethical fashion studies, environmental studies were conducted most often; in addition, the terms used along with ethical fashion tend to be frequently used for each particular major. Looking at key words used in research by period, the study showed that research was most diverse between 2016 and 2019. In particular, environmental and social issues of ethical fashion and convergence with animal protection, new distribution, science and technology sectors were newly added between 2016 and 2019. This study used text mining and network analysis to understand the overall trends of ethical fashion studies in Korea. In conclusion it is important to realize the relationship between the main words along with the current status analysis.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.568-577
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• 2023

This study examined how middle-aged female consumers' environmental consciousness influences their attitudes and ethical purchasing behavior toward RUR (recycling, upcycling, and reuse) knit products. The research employs a survey method, targeting 30-40 year old women residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province. On-line and off-line data collection were conducted. The following conclusions emerged through statistical analyses, including factor analysis, cluster analysis, t-test, and regression analysis. Firstly, respondents' environmental consciousness variables were classified into two factors, delineating high and low environmental consciousness clusters, demonstrating significant differences between them. Secondly, the high environmental consciousness cluster exhibited more positive consumer attitudes and ethical purchasing behavior towards RUR knit products. Moreover, it was established that environmental pollution consciousness and eco-friendly product purchase consciousness influenced environmental consciousness on consumer attitudes and ethical purchasing behavior. Lastly, the study confirmed that consumer attitudes mediated environmental consciousness and ethical purchasing behavior. In conclusion, this research establishes a meaningful link between environmental consciousness, consumer attitudes, and ethical purchasing behavior in 30-40 year old women. Environmentally conscious groups positively influence attitudes toward RUR knitted fashion and promote ethical purchasing behavior. Consequently, it is recommended that knit fashion companies prioritize environmental consciousness and eco-friendly products in their marketing strategies. Furthermore, diversifying the application of RUR knit products, coupled with eco-friendly production techniques, can amplify their appeal and utility, ensuring a positive impact on consumer behavior.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.932-941
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• 2013

This study aims to investigate the impacts on adolescents of the application of the education program for ethical consumption related to clothing in terms of their clothing-related ethical consumption consciousness, and in terms of their general ethical consumption knowledge and behaviors. Additionally, the effects of clothing-related ethical consumption consciousness and general ethical consumption knowledge on general ethical consumption behavior were examined. The program for education in ethical consumption related to clothing for adolescents was developed and applied, two surveys for the pre-post test design were conducted with high school female and male students, and a total of 158 responses were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows. 1) The results of the factor analysis and the reliability test on ethical consumption consciousness for high school students clearly showed factorial structures including Pro-environmentalism, Animal welfare, Social responsibility, and Recycling. 2) Analysis of the differences in the means of ethical consumption consciousness, knowledge, and behaviors of respondents between pre-test and post-test revealed that posttest means of all research variables after application of the education program were higher than pre-test means. 3) The ethical consumption knowledge had important medicating roles in the relationship between ethical consumption consciousness with regard to clothing and general ethical consumption behaviors. Overall, the study provides empirical evidence to support the notion that there is a need for applying an ethical consumption education program to lead adolescents to consume ethically.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.219-238
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• 2014

This study attempted to investigate present condition and product planning of global eco-fashion brands that harmonize fashion and sustainability. As research subjects, this study selected 97 oversea fashion brands mentioned in books related to eco-fashion, Black(2011), Brown(2010), Fuad-luke(2009). As for research methods, materials and ethical practices of these selected 97 brands through literature data and their internet site homepages. This study analyzed oversea eco-brands collected 26 British brands, 22 American brands, 36 European brands such as Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Finland and so on, except Britain and 13 other regions including Japan, India, Canada, Mexico, and New zealand. In conclusion, the product planning characteristics of these oversea eco-fashion brands can be summarized as follows; community and fair trade, ecological and slow design, recycle, reuse, redesign, and new eco-models. Firstly, brands of 'community and fair trade' manufactured products through fair trade and local community's artisan by ethical practices with organic fabrics. Secondly, brands of 'ecological and slow design' pursued timeless design and multi-functional design as luxury eco-fashion styles. They used organic textiles, hemp, bamboo, soya, tencell, sea cell, and self-sustaining plants. Thirdly, brands of 'recycle, reuse, redesign' aimed for upcycling high-end fashion and used vintage clothes, textile scraps, PET, parachutes, tires, safety belts, advertising banner and so on. In addition, brands of 'new models as eco-fashion' suggested zero-waste cutting, recycling over-printing technology, new sustainable business model, and ethical practices in the supply chain of the fashion industry.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.25-35
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among credibility toward publicity (CP), the attitude toward publicity (AP), enterprise images, ethical obligations, and purchase intention, and then to demonstrate the differences in the relationships according to the three socially valuable creations: job creation, environmental protection, and fair trade. The hypotheses of this study were empirically tested with data collected via an online survey. The results of path analysis indicated that CP and AP positively affected enterprise images and ethical obligations respectively. Purchase intention was influenced by AP, enterprise images, and ethical obligations, but not by CP. In addition, this study highlighted the lack of a difference in consumer responses to publicity according to the three types of socially valuable creations. These findings provide guidelines for publicity strategies to induce consumers to purchase social enterprise products for marketing managers and entrepreneurs operating social enterprises.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.654-665
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• 2019

The process of clothing production creates waste and scrap, which creates environmental, economic, and ethical issues. With this in mind the concept of ethical and sustainable fashion is discussed on many platforms as an important and timely topic. Many solutions have been presented on this subject. For the solution of this problem which has been increasing in the fashion and textile industry, the usage of sustainable materials and production methods is needed. There in a 'recyclable material cycle' should be adapted, instead of a 'traditional material cycle'. New methods and techniques should be developed with multi-disciplinary design approaches to produce creative and high value-added products in the name of fashion and sustainability. This is seen as one of the more effective solutions. This study aims to show that production scraps can be transformed into timely clothing designs with samples. The fabric scraps from different brands were turned into unique clothing designs with up to date trends by designer. In the practices completed while following the design process, collage and patchwork techniques were applied depending on the characteristics of the scrap fabric, artistic figures were hand-stitched onto the design. With this study, the scraps that get thrown into dumping grounds and damage the ecosystem can turn into ethical and economic benefits for the manufacturer. How to choose new high value-added products and create an awareness of social responsibility is also shown with examples in this study.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.443-458
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• 2022

Generation MZ, a generic term for millennials and members of Generation Z, is an innovation-leading consumer group in the current market. This study aimed to examine the impact of the ethical consumption tendencies of millennials and Generation Z on the purchase intention of social enterprise fashion products. Data were collected from Generation MZ (15-40 years old) by quota sampling based on the demographic variables of gender, age, and region, respectively. Eight hundred responses were analyzed by descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test, and regressions using SPSS software. Three value factors (egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric) and three ethical consumption tendency factors (resource saving tendency, eco-friendly tendency, and consciousness of corporate responsibility) were determined by factor analyses. The results confirmed that women, who showed a higher ethical consumption tendency in all three factors, were more altruistic and biospheric than men. Furthermore, women portrayed a more favorable attitude and purchase intention towards fashion products of social enterprises. The results demonstrated that members of Generation Z were more altruistic and biospheric than millennials. Additionally, the attitude, purchase intention, and willingness to pay premium prices were higher in Generation Z members. It was confirmed that higher biospheric values correlated with greater values for the three ethical consumption tendency factors. The altruistic value affected both the resource saving tendency and eco-friendly trend, while the egoistic value had an effect on the resource saving tendency. Both attitude and purchase intention were positively influenced by all three of the ethical consumption tendency factors, and affected the willingness to pay premium prices. This was subsequently influenced by the resource saving tendency and consciousness of corporate responsibility. The results of this study contribute to understanding Generation MZ as a consumer group, and the establishment of marketing strategies for fashion companies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.465-479
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• 2016

Some groups do ethical activities (such as ethical slogan t-shirt campaigns) only to complete the requirements for ethical duty; consequently, some people question the effectiveness of those products. The attributes of ethical slogan t-shirts should be considered seriously to reduce skepticism when planning a campaign. Researchers can also suggest a new purpose for ethical t-shirts using an ethical message. In study 1, we conduct a conjoint analysis that suggests realistic multi-attribute choice decisions. The suggested multi-attributes wear design aesthetic (high/low), price (high/low), where we donate (close/far), and the size of firm (big/small). In addition, participations were divided into two groups according to eco-friendly attitudes to confirm differences in choices between two groups. Study 1 showed that price is the most important attribute, but design aesthetic also remains important. In addition, a group that has a high eco-friendly attitude thought "where we donate" was more important than other groups. In study 2, a pre-post approach investigated wearers' attitude changes. We also divided participants into two groups and one group wear high level design aesthetic t-shirts (and vice-versa) to measure the attitude change difference. As a result of study 2, the wearers partially changed their eco-friendly attitudes. The group that wore high design aesthetic t-shirts showed a greater difference than other groups. Through this study, we conclude that customers seriously considered the design aesthetic. Finally, wearing ethical slogan t-shirts can change the attitudes of wearers.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.59-76
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about environmental severity and new social, economic, and cultural changes. Conscious fashion, which is oriented to sustainable and valuable consumption, has become a trend to consume products produced using eco-friendly and ethical processes, from the selection of the product materials to the manufacturing process. The purpose of this study is to identify the concepts and characteristics of conscious fashion and zero waste, and to explore design trends of zero wastein the new normal era of conscious fashion through the analysis of various cases. The research method is a literature review on conscious fashion based on relevant professional and academic books and articles, designer collections, and campaigns from 2010 to the present, when conscious fashion as eco-friendliness and sustainable fashion became a trend. The concept and characteristics of conscious fashion were examined them in terms of environmental, ethical, social, and cultural aspects and the concept and characteristics of zero waste through previous studies and case analysis. Through this, the trends of zero-waste design in conscious fashion were categorized into: first, an eco-friendly design orientation that utilizes reuse and reduce methods of clothing and fabric; second, a variable design orientation that practices zero waste designs by using diversity of patterns through deconstruction, disassembly, and various cutting methods. Third, long-term circulation of design through the recycling of resources by second-hand trade, the utilization of stock clothing, resale, and availability of eco-friendly materials through the development of new technologies. As an active practice for the sustainable fashion industry expands, it is expected that continuous research will be conducted as a future core value to realize the possibility of long-term circular zero-waste design through social responsibility and conscious recycling, reuse, and reproduction.