• 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 Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.151-163
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• 2023

This study aims to explore the perceptions of MZ's on eco-friendly consumption and their preferences for eco-friendly souvenirs. The top reasons for buying upcycling products include design, price, differentiation, and environmentalism, with design having the most influence on product purchase. Design is also a top consideration when buying upcycling souvenirs. Regarding environmental issues, they were most aware of the seriousness of environmental pollution and thought that recycling of fashion products was necessary. When it comes to eco-friendly fashion purchasing behaviors, the most common choice is to buy clothes that will last longer than those that are in fashion. Upcycling products are more likely to be purchased when there is a concern for the environment or an interest in eco-friendly products. In addition, those who have purchased upcycling products are more likely to be aware of and interested in eco-friendly fashion products and recycling of fashion products. Women are more likely than men to be concerned about environmental issues, and women are also more likely to be aware of upcycling souvenirs. In future research, it would be useful to study the relationship between upcycling products, environmental issues, consumer behavior, and upcycling souvenirs.

• 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 Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2024

This study explores application of upcycling design methods in structural transformation of second-hand denim clothing, aiming to achieve sustainable design objectives. By drawing inspiration from Liu Qing's research methods in the field of circular utilization of denim clothing, this study collected and analyzed cases of structural transformation of used denim clothing from 2020 to 2023. It summarized structural transformation design methods for used denim clothing. Through the development of design works, this study aims to find out the best upgrading and renovation design strategy by applying the method of structural renovation design. This study aims to support the development of a sustainable fashion industry and promote recycling and upcycling of discarded clothing fabrics, thereby reducing resource waste and environmental impact.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.257-270
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• 2015

This study investigates the effect of perceived value on attitude and purchase intention of upcycling fashion goods. The study also examines the effect of perceived value on attitudes according to fashion innovativeness. The qualitative data analysis results from NVivo 10.0 showed that consumers paid attention to the creative design value, environmental value, scarcity value of upcycling fashion goods. Next, 201 effective questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 20.0. The results are as follows. First, there were 5 factor solutions for the perceived value of up-cycling fashion goods: environmental value, creative design value, functional value, emotional value, and self-expression value. Second, environmental value, functional value, and self-expression value positively affected attitude; however, creative design value and emotional value did not affect attitude. Third, attitude positively influenced purchase intention of upcycling fashion goods. Fourth, there was a significant difference in the magnitude of the effect of self-expression value on attitude according to fashion innovativeness. The results of this study provide useful information for marketers or managers interested in upcycling fashion goods.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.984-1003
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• 2020

The global fashion industry produces significant carbon emission and micro-plastics in oceans. Studies on sustainable design methods as such environmental issues in fashion are becoming intensely problematic. This study conducted a case study on 100 upcycle fashion brands to propose strategical upcycle fashion designs to compete in a sustainable fashion market. A literature review indicated that 3 types of textile wastes are generated as upcycling materials: post-producer, pre-consumer and post-consumer. Wastes are categorized together with 3 types of techniques: redesigning, reconstruction and handcrafting. This research derived 7 types of upcycle fashion designs that have the following features: to make luxury upcycle fashion products, to make sustainable grunge looks, to re-evaluate deadstocks, to recover vintage clothes, to convert waste into craft-arts, to offer solutions for damaged products, and to make zero-waste small fabric waste. The study results show that key drivers in the upcycle fashion design are the redesignability of materials and technique-related costs. This study implies that adopting appropriate design features can be a useful strategy for designers. New technologies will solve current problems and encourage them to design products in a new circular value system.

• 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.