• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.295-308
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• 2012

This study intends to analyze the up-cycling trend that is attracting great attention these days and its internal meaning in the context of fashion art. And, based on this, to provide enhanced value and creativity in the future fashion artwork and design businesses, keeping abreast of further fashion art developments. As part of the study methodology, both a literature review and a case study were carried out, along with an examination of up-cycling and research into related pictures and content. The materials covered in this work include design and fashion related books and domestic and foreign magazines from 2000 to 2011, when the up-cycling movement was initiated as a form of eco-friendly design. For the analysis of fashion art pieces, generic terms included art wear, wearable art wear, and unwearable art. Case review was followed by the works of artists shaping their fashion concept and meaning entirely from abandoned clothes and fabrics, waste materials, and their art collection. Consequently, key elements of the value of up-cycling fashion art are that it is eco-friendly, has a unique identity, and reflects multi-dimensionalism. This research saw the integration of fashion with other variables, artistic attributes, and reuse of resources. This could lead to a new realm where value-addition is formed and extended, thus providing another chance for the fashion industry.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.49-61
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop an educational program designed to allow students to experience 'up-cycling' first-hand during class and understand its significance by helping them improving their practical problem-solving abilities. Teachers of home economics, Korean, and social studies to third grade middle schooler were asked to analyze the curriculums of their subjects. The analysis results were then used to identify common elements among the units, reconstruct the curriculums, and develop an integrated lesson program to offer integrated activities. Based on these, a lesson program was developed to make an eco-bag and running shoes under the theme of 'up-cycling' in the unit of 'environmentally-friendly clothing and mending of clothes' in the home economics subject. The results were as follows: First, a topical fusion lesson program was developed to integrate three subjects together. The development process involved the integration of the topic of up-cycling, a program model for integrated lessons, and a teaching and learning process plan for topical integrated education. Secondly, a lesson program for home economics was developed that was applicable to actual home economics lessons based on the topical integrated lesson program. The lesson domains were divided into large, medium, and small to create a ten-lesson teaching and learning process plan needed for the lessons, teaching materials that could be put to actual uses in lessons, and activity and evaluation logs for learners.

• 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.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.103-110
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• 2012

Various industrial sectors have formally turned to Green Development, practicing eco-design with the goal of saving the environment. Such trend can also be applied to jewelry design and production. Jewelry, which emerged with the birth of humankind, has been a contributing factor to environmental pollution and depletion of resources due to mass production and reckless consuming patterns of the 20th century. With the arrival of the World economic crises, however, the consumption of jewelry has dropped and now the industry desperately needs a boost for revival. In this paper, we propose a way to recycle waste materials and turn them into a new kind of jewelry. We introduce various junk materials that can be reused, and how to reuse them. The new type of jewelry we aim for is environment-friendly, low-cost, and unique as opposed to identical mass production of the past. The eco-design product will likely add new value to jewelry industry. The product targets sophisticated modern consumers with conscientious, environmentally aware consuming patterns. To fulfill the needs of these consumers, we propose methods of upcycling from junk to jewelry, by combining precious stones with waste materials.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.140-156
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to review and establish the three concepts of upcycling, zero-waste fashion design, and regional sustainability through a review of domestic and international case studies. Furthermore, it will provide the theoretical basis for using upcycling as a regional sustainability practice to create zero-waste fashion design. To conduct an empirical study, we systematized the stages of the survey on waste resources in Changsin-dong, the sourcing and utilization of waste resources, the design-planning stage, and the co-production with pattern and sewing masters as a suggested practice for regional sustainability. Through this study, we propose the possibility of regional sustainability by developing and sharing the method of zero-waste fashion design. The conclusion of the study as follows: First, upcycling fashion designs can be extended to a regional sustainability practice by taking the characteristics of social design into account. Second, by providing a design development process and methodology suitable for regional sustainability application, it is helpful to revitalize regional upcycling fashion brands and communities by providing data for upcycled fashion branding. Third, as part of the revitalization project for the Chang-shin and Soongin areas that started in 2014, using the region's economic, cultural, and environmental characteristics to make and sell high-value, upcycled fashion products will contribute to social and economic achievements and aid in solving regional problems.

• 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.23 no.4
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• pp.127-139
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• 2019

Up-cycling has evolved from its original form of the simple recycling of waste, into an industry of its own that has been gaining momentum. In many developed industries, up-cycling is increasingly seen as an 'environmentally-friendly way of production and ethical way of consumption'. However, an examination of the designs of branded up-cycled products suggests that there is a need for product development fueled by further research on materials. The purpose of this study is to introduce various production methods that can overcome the shortcomings of using waste material and Korean motifs for use in product development, which ultimately contribute to enhancing the potential variety and character of up-cycled products. In order to do so, the up-cycling industry was examined to define key concepts, domestic and overseas markets were surveyed, and case analyses were conducted on domestic and foreign up-cycling brands. In addition, after tracking how leather is discarded and accumulated as waste and then collecting the discarded leather, the properties of the material were analyzed. A study of Korean motifs was followed by the concept summary, and upcycling design expressions that exemplify Korean images were identified. The following two novel methods were used to create six up-cycled bags using collected discarded leather. First, lucky bags and moon pots were selected from various Korean motifs in order to use motifs with identifiable features. Secondly, different variations of cutting and attachment methods were used, including iron mold production methods and presses.

• 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 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.

• 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.