• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.111-117
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• 2014

This study investigated the perception of upcycling for sensitive university students in regards to fashion trends. It was conducted through questionnaires delivered to male and female college students who majored in clothing related subjects from June 2012 to June 2013 in Gwangju. The contents for this research are general details, seriousness of environmental resources, awareness of upcycle, and purchasing intention for upcycling products. Most of the respondents said that recycling of resources is absolutely necessary due to the impact of environmental pollution and the consumption of resources. On the contrary, the experience of the respondents which purchased recycling products was low. The awareness of also was low, upcycling, internal upcycling brands and internal consumption groups, however, the decisions for subsequent purchases were positive. The reasons for the unsatisfactory of upcycling of products were due to quality and price. The reaction for many upcycle goods had the best question response rate in daily supplies part; subsequently, this study suggested 3 items, apparel products, fashion accessories, and daily supplies. In addition, a group which contains people who expend more for clothing had a lower awareness of upcycle and purchasing intention than other groups that contained some people who expend less. The results of the study can be used in data that recognize the necessary of upcycle education for university students, and develop educational programs. It can also encourage the purchase of upcycle products that reduce the consumption of resources.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.51-64
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• 2024

As concerns over environmental issues grow, the fashion industry is looking for sustainable and eco-friendly directions. In particular, the fashion industry is actively introducing upcycling to address environmental pollution. In addition, the fashion trend of surrealistic expression techniques are drawing attention, reflecting modern people's desire to relieve stress and escape from daily life. Accordingly, this study focused on modern environmental issues and the pursuit of personality away from popularization, and proposed upcycling using surrealist expression techniques. As a research method, literature research and prior research were conducted through data collection, and the concepts of surrealism, upcycling, and fashion expression techniques were summarized. Based on this survey, the theme of "Dream Forest" was decided upon, and design development and the production of real works were carried out using CLO 3D. This study is expected to contribute to presenting sustainable strategies and directions in the field of fashion design, spreading social awareness of sustainable fashion, while aiming to provide new insights to fashion designers, and enhancing the social awareness of sustainable fashion.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-190
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• 2018

Fashion industry constantly produces and consumes, which leads to huge waste piles of perfectly usable textiles in landfills, as well as other negative effects of an exploitative and excessively rapid fashion process. Pollution created by making and dyeing clothes has pitted fashion industry and environmentalists against each other. In this context, upcycling is seen as an optimal way to solve the growing problem of waste in fashion industry. The first purpose of the study was to analyze the relationships between upcycling fashion products' perceived value, pro-environmental beliefs, attitudes, electronic word of mouth (eWOM) intention, and purchase intention. The second purpose is to verify the difference of perceived consumption value among the consumers' awareness level and purchase experience. A total of 258 valid responses obtained from a group of 20-30-year-old participants were collected through an online survey. SPSS 23.0 and Amos 18.0 programs were used for data analysis. The results of the present study suggest that there are significant effects of upcycling fashion products' perceived value on pro-environmental belief; furthermore, pro-environmental belief was found to positively influence attitude, eWOM intention, and purchase intention. In addition, there are differences of perceived consumption value among the consumers' awareness level and purchase experience. Taken together, the results of this study provide researchers and practitioners with a deeper understanding of consumers' values, beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intentions towards upcycling fashion products.

• 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 Furniture Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2016

In modern society, designers started feeling moral and social responsibility in the aspect of environment as a position of suggesting something new. Rather than creating another waste to make something innovative, the concept of Upcycling which is about adding design or utilization to the existing recyclable materials to raise their value to products or art works has started settling down. Among them, there have been various researches on the use of offcut waste to be dumped. Such use of waste can be found in Jogakbo (patchwork), one of our traditional boudoir crafts. This could be connected to the concept of the modern Upcycling in the aspect of giving new values to the wasted pieces of fabric through needlework. Therefore, this study suggested Stitch work as new Upcycling furniture by seeking for the common connections between Upcycling and traditional Jogakbo, and then reinterpreting them in the same viewpoint. It was an opportunity not only to rediscover 'the esthetics of waste' by changing the awareness of 'behavior of dumping', but also to reinterpret or reconsider the tradition. Based on this, it is expected to continuously have new attempts to use offcut waste for eco-friendly design in the future, and also to have opportunities to seek for new directions of Upcycling to rediscover new values through the revaluation of valuelessness.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2019

The mass production after the industrialisation and the fast changing fashion cycles in today's world resulted in buying clothes and home textiles more than we need and discarding them before they complete their life cycles. This causes vast amounts of textile waste that creates environmental issues. Upcycling is the creative process of transforming clothing and textile waste by reusing deadstock or used fabric to create new garments and products. It holds importance in terms of sustainability, reducing waste and environmental pollution. During the process of upcycling, certainly the creativity and innovation are the key words because to reuse a product to a better value needs a creative mind, aesthetic consciousness, innovative look and knowledge and it is quite different from a normal design procedure. There is a delicate level of aesthetics which carries the reused materials to a higher value. The handling of the materials, knowing how to manipulate the waste material, the techniques available to apply to surfaces, the concept of two and three dimension on textiles and clothing, contributions of other branches of art such as sculpture and painting all help the designer to reach a higher aesthetic value in the upcycled product in this process. In the study; it was aimed to raise awareness, to attract attention to sustainable fashion and also to contribute to sustainable development as an upcycling design project realized with students in textile and fashion design education taken as an example.

• 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.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.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

The goal of this study was to improve environmental awareness by systematically developing a hands-on online lesson for adults on making drink bags by upcycling discarded umbrella cloth. The lesson was developed using an ADDIE model. During the analysis stage, the instructional design direction was established based on the findings of previous studies. In the design stage, the operation of practical classes in the online environment was specifically planned. The contents of education and the training time were also determined. The materials developed during the development stage included a kit and theoretical information containing images to raise awareness of environmental pollution and the significance of upcycling, as well as videos and photos. During the implementation stage, two sessions were held three months apart. A total of 36 adults participated, with 18 participants in each session. In the evaluation stage, the first session participants provided feedback on class satisfaction, which led to improvements. Positive feedbacks were received from the second session participants, who expressed satisfaction with the smooth communication and easy approaches to the learning materials. In both instances, the surveys on environmental consciousness and attitudes yielded an overall average score of 4.27, indicating a generally positive evaluation.

• 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.