• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2013

Eco T-shirts have become a part of environmental campaigns following social trends toward eco-friendly designs. With the demand for such designs expected to grow, there has arisen a need for higher product variety. In the past, eco T-shirts were designed to convey messages about the protection of nature through the use of environmentally friendly text or images. However, in order to respond to the preferences and emotional needs of Koreans, designs should cater to their characteristics and tastes. To this end, this study used a Whan-ki Kim-inspired motif to develop an eco-friendly design tailored to Korean perspectives. It is believed that this process can not only result in a distinctive eco T-shirt design, but also make it globally competitive. With regard to research methodology, a total of 41 paintings of Whan-ki Kim were analyzed and classified into four major themes or key values expressed in modern eco-friendly fashion designs: naturalness, indigenousness, harmony between nature and man, and harmony between natural and artificial beauty. Employing a wide range of CAD techniques and varying forms, the themes were developed into 28 T-shirt designs after their forms, tones, and textures were fully explored. This study demonstrates the possibility of designing creative, aesthetic, and high value-added eco T-shirts through motif development. In addition, it successfully integrates Korean paintings in the development of T-shirt designs aimed at communicating environmentally friendly messages.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.72-82
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• 2012

The purpose of this research to look into formative characteristics of eco T-shirt design. Previous study researchers have mostly focused on overall eco fashion design, but on the other hand the research on eco product entity leaves much to be desired. We analyzed formative characteristics of eco T-shirt design that is easily accessible in real life and is easy to passing message. We selected 23 eco brands through internet and analyzed total 500 photos of eco T-shirt. Each photo was categorized by sex and the nations which belong to the eco fashion world associations. The content and statistical analysis was used for data analysis. The content of the research is as the following. First, it was found out that basic straight silhouette, achromatic color, human pattern, plant pattern, and eco-friendly organic material were used for the design of eco T-shirt. Second, it showed difference of silhouette, color, pattern according to nations. Third, it showed difference of silhouette, color, pattern according to sex. Fourth, symbolism of eco T-shirt was nature love, nature support, society ethicality, anti-sociality, and economics. This research aims for providing practical help and assistance to the development of eco T-shirt and its relevant industries.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.722-732
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were to investigate the needs for eco t-shirts of the new elderly consumers and to suggest strategies for eco t-shirts product development and marketing. Quantitative research was employed for research method. The data was collected from men and women in their age of 50-65, who lived in Busan, Ulsan, and Kyungnam province, during October, 2011. Respondents were selected by convenience sampling. A total of 307 responses among 350 were analyzed. Factor analysis, frequency analysis, t-test, chi-square, and regression were used for analysis. SPSS 20.0 was used for data analysis. Characteristics of the new elderly (lifestyle and environmental concern), consumption status of eco t-shirts (possession status and reasons of purchase/non-purchase), purchase intention for eco tshirts, consumer needs for t-shirts (usage situation, benefits sought, and dissatisfaction with t-shirts), preference for eco t-shirts (color, pattern, material, and shape), and demographics were surveyed. Based on the results, the vision of eco tshirts market for the new elderly consumers was positively prospected. In conclusion, specific strategies for eco t-shirts products development and marketing were suggested. Product development focused on practicality and material, design development reflecting consumers' preference, multipurpose product development, building up the product recognition, and moderate price strategy were suggested.