• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2024

With increasing global interest in environmentally friendly materials and the consequent rise in demand, there is a growing need for alternatives to synthetic fibers, which can cause skin diseases and other side effects. The fashion industry is emphasizing material sustainability owing to concerns about increasing carbon emissions. Moreover, consumers express a strong desire for ecofriendly and sustainable materials. Therefore, clothing brand companies are developing eco-friendly products to enhance their corporate image. Hemp fibers are recognized for their functionality and are utilized as crucial materials in the development of eco-friendly products by global fashion companies. In this study, we produced socks that effectively improve foot health using hemp stem bark extract fibers and demonstrated the positive efficacy of natural fibers through functional and wearability evaluations. Hemp stem bark extract fibers showed 99.9% antimicrobial effectiveness against bacteria responsible for sweat-induced bacterial proliferation and odor, when blended with lyocell fibers and woven into fabric to manufacture socks. Wearability evaluations of these terry cloth socks confirmed a reduction in foot odor and fatigue among the participants with a consumer satisfaction of 4.63/5. These findings confirm the effectiveness and positive impact of the natural antimicrobial properties of hemp fibers and terry cloth structure in improving foot health.

• 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.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.55-70
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• 2022

In the 21^st century, the demand for eco-friendly leather, such as eco-leather and vegan leather, is steadily increasing. This study examines the influence of eco-friendliness on consumers' purchasing intentions and the possibility of eco-friendly changes in the fashion accessory market, which is dominated by leather material and leather substitutes. This study administered a questionnaire survey to 227 males and females between 20 and 60 years of age in Korea. With a 5-point Likert scale, data were collected on evaluation criteria when purchasing shoes and bags and purchasing intention of various leather substitute materials according to the democratic variables. The eco-friendliness attitude was divided into eco-consciousness and green behavior. As the eco-friendly attitude increased, most purchasing standards increased, but the purchasing criteria, such as trends, brands, and prices, did not correlate with the eco-friendly attitude. The eco-consciousness of a consumer had a high correlation with the design evaluation criteria, while the green behavior of the consumer aligned with durability and comfort criteria when purchasing a bag. There was a preference for recycled leather, vegetable leather, synthetic leather, and chemical leather, and the fabric type was ranked as natural fiber, biodegradable fiber, and synthetic fiber. Consumers with both green behavior and eco-consciousness are more likely to purchase biodegradable textiles and vegetable leather for the material of shoes and bags.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.791-802
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• 2012

This study promotes education, purchase, and advertisement activities related to eco-friendly apparel products. The study examined college students and their demographic characteristics, their recognition of and interest in, knowledge, purchase, and attitude towards advertisements related to eco-friendly apparel products. In this study, 337 students from various universities in Daejeon participated in a questionnaire survey from March 7 to March 25, 2011. The collected materials were analyzed by frequency analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis, cross tabulations analysis, and t-test using SPSS 18.0 software. The results of these tests revealed that more students from the upper grades belonged to the Environmentally Friendly Group compared to those in the Non-environmentally Friendly Group. It was also found that students in the Environmentally Friendly Group had a higher level of consciousness and expressed a greater interest in eco-friendly apparel products as well as towards the launch of educational programs. Additionally, this group was more supportive of the need for new courses and had a higher likelihood to enroll in these courses. The research results revealed that (compared to the Non-environmentally Friendly Group) the Environmentally Friendly Group exhibited a greater satisfaction with the designs of eco-friendly apparel products and had more experience to examine advertisements about eco-friendly apparel products; in addition, they expressed a higher likability and reliability to these advertisements. The results also showed that the Environmentally Friendly Group believed that advertisements had persuasive power and were quite impressive in recalling the advertisements.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.49-62
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between well-being lifestyles and herbal cosmetics benefits sought of female consumers. The data were collected from 301 women living in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gwangju, Busan, and Gyeongnam province in June, 2011. Statistical methods including frequency, F-test, t-test, Duncan test, factor analysis, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, correlation coefficient, and multiple regression were used for this study. The results of this study were as follows.: The well-being lifestyles were composed of five factors, 'health pursuit activity', 'eco-friendly product interest', 'eco-friendly dietary', 'eco-friendly clothing', and 'eco-friendly housing'. The herbal cosmetics benefits sought were composed of seven factors, 'special function pursuit', 'skin 'fitness pursuit', 'brand pursuit', 'nutritional reinforcement pursuit', 'economy pursuit', 'fragrance pursuit', and 'scarcity pursuit'. The well-being lifestyles and herbal cosmetics benefits sought according to female consumers's demographic characteristics showed a difference. Female consumers's well-being lifestyles showed that correlation with the herbal cosmetics benefits sought. Female consumers's well-being lifestyles had a influence on their herbal cosmetics benefits sought. The study results are highly expected to be used as valuable sources in marketing strategies for herbal cosmetic industries.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2016

The object of this study is to find out the influence of college students' consumption value on consumer attitudes towards environmental awareness and clothing environmental behavior. Questionnaires were administered to 236 college students living in DaeguCity and Kyoungbuk province. Frequency, factor analysis, reliability analysis, regression analysis, and t-test were used for data analysis. Our findings are as follows. Consumption value of college students had factors as differentiated, consumption needs, utility, economies ostentation, others awareness, and belonging. Consumer attitudes towards environmental awareness were found as environmental importance, environmental product purchase, environmental product interest, and environmental action. Clothing environmental behavior were found as up cycle, buying eco-friendly clothing, active participation, saver purchase, and eco-friendly clothing management. The result of this study showed differentiated, others awareness, and belonging had significant effect of environmental product purchase and consumption needs, utility, and belonging had significant effect of environmental action. Differentiated, and others awareness had significant effect of up cycle, buying eco-friendly clothing, active participation, and eco-friendly clothing management. Gender of college students showed significant differences consumption value, consumer attitudes towards environmental awareness, and clothing environmental behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1087-1099
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• 2012

This study investigated the purchase intention of green fashion products based on Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory and compared the differences between Korean and British consumers. In order to identify the impact of personal characteristics, this study also examined the effects of fashion innovativeness and LOHAS tendency on perceived attributes of innovation and intention to purchase. With a convenience sampling method, a survey questionnaire was distributed at popular fashion streets in each country. A total of 426 data were obtained, 203 from the UK and 223 from Korea. About 52% were females, and 69% were in their twenties. A factor analysis generated two LOHAS factors (health concerns and eco concerns) and four attributes of green fashion products (image improvement, symbolic superiority, observability, and compatibility). Two types of green fashion products (organic cotton t-shirts and organic cotton t-shirts with an environmental message) were provided to measure the purchase intention, respectively. The findings were as follows. British consumers were more likely to show LOHAS tendency and to perceive positive advantages of green products compared to Koreans; in addition, British consumers presented higher mean scores on the purchase intentions of organic cotton products. Fashion innovativeness was significant to predict image improvement and symbolic superiority, while eco concerns were significant in compatibility for both nations. Compatibility was important for both countries in order to explain the intention to adopt two types of organic products. In addition, image improvement was another predictor for purchase intention of organic t-shirts with an environmental message. Managerial implications were provided.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.432-451
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• 2019

Companies and brands that practice sustainability pay attention to New Media due to its ability to build a sustainable relationship between companies and consumers. The need for research on specific roles, characteristics, and social media effects on eco-friendly advertising has had rapid growth in marketing programs for sustainable activities especially shown through social media. Information about sustainable fashion has spread to consumers through social media, and multifarious efforts have been made to attract the attention of youth. Despite the dramatic increase in eco-friendly marketing through social media as a part of sustainability, there is a lack of research on the major influences of emotional factors such as ad color and expression in social media. In this context, it is meaningful to identify relationships between emotional responses, advertising value and consumer behavior of sustainable fashion brands in Instagram and implement a suitable advertising type (color vs expression) for consumers. We used 366 responses for the final analysis. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, structural equation modeling using SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0. The results of this study suggest that emotional responses, advertising value have a significant effect on the flow. This study expands on a previously limited research field by verifying consumer responses to image advertising on Instagram, rather than general sustainable fashion marketing. The study results also provide meaningful implications for a relation formation between customers and fashion brands vis-${\grave{a}}$-vis sustainable social media marketing.

• Archives of design research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.113-119
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• 2012

Under the paradigm of 'Eco', the core of sustainability management, this study aims to establish both domestic and international markets and secure competitiveness in the global markets through the development of children's furniture composed of recycled and unharmful materials. Currently, in Europe and in the Western regions, the concepts of 'eco-friendly', 'children', and 'DIY' are well-placed in the daily lives of the people. On the other hand, compared to the domestic demand for eco-friendly children's furniture, the essential approach and the qualitative improvements about the subject are being slowly progressed. Particularly, the process of applying eco-friendly materials and finishing materials to the children's furnitures are mostly in a non-existent state. Thus, in this study, simple application of basic eco-friendly materials such as natural woods or imitation of overseas furniture designs were avoided to create transformable eco-friendly one-touch DIY children's furniture for children's growth and development through the application of eco-friendly processes of technology, design, and other stages of the development process. In other words, under the big category of eco-friendly children's furniture, the furniture was developed through an environmentally-friendly process of universal design that is suitable for children of all ages, and thus, ultimately maximizing the economical effective value and reducing consumption of resources and environmental pollutions.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.384-397
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the eco-friendly design characteristics of contemporary children's collections. Photos from FirstviewKorea were utilized for analysis; 29 brands were selected that included children's clothing collections featuring eco-friendly characteristics from 2007 to 2018. The results are as follows. First, naturalness was the most frequent characteristic of environmentally friendly children's collections. It was not conveyed in an eccentric way in any season, showed a relatively uniform distribution, and was seen in various ways, including printed on the fabric and expressed in $appliqu\acute{e}s$ and embroidery. Second, handcrafted features frequently changed according to seasonal trends. Various methods such as beading, embroidery, applique, sewing techniques, and handbags were used, which enhanced manual workability, discrimination from other designs. Third, traditionality is divided into the characteristics of ethnicity and revivalism. National traditions were expressed in the clothing and reflected the current generation while connecting to the past. Fourth, simplicity appeared in classic designs such as simple silhouettes, sparse decoration, natural colors, and comfortable dress length that is not tight on the body. Simplicity was not a frequent feature due to the characteristics of the children's clothing collections. Fifth, playfulness functioned to enhance the children's clothing's wear frequency. Although it was the least frequent of all the characteristics, it seemed to increase the design fun and the clothing's value by fusing with other characteristics such as handcraftedness and naturalness.