ZERO WASTE APPROACH IN SUSTAINABLE FASHION DESIGN: DESIGNER PERSPECTIVE FOR PRE-CONSUMER WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

In recent years, the climate crisis that humanity has faced has increased the importance of sustainability discussions, bringing the issue of waste reduction and solutions in textiles and ready-to-wear to the forefront. In the fashion sector, many designers, engineers, and brands, both from within and outside the industry, are developing methods to reduce waste at pre-consumer and/or post-consumer stages. These efforts aim to adopt various innovative approaches for sustainable fashion and environmentally friendly production. Reducing waste generation is a crucial step in minimizing the environmental impact of the clothing industry. Within the scope of this study, existing knowledge on zero-waste fashion design has been compiled and analyzed using the literature review method. Research in this area contributes to the wider adoption of sustainable practices within the fashion sector. Zero-waste fashion design is one of the significant approaches promoting sustainability in the 21st-century fashion industry. This approach prioritizes the prevention of pre-consumer waste generation. Consequently, it emphasizes pattern-based design and the development of methods that minimize waste during the production processes of garments. In the production of designed garments, efforts are made to either generate no waste or minimize textile waste (low waste) as much as possible. For zero-waste fashion design, designers develop various design solutions and methods focused on preventing waste generation during the transformation of the design into the product. These solutions include pattern design ideas such as jigsaw and tesselation, fabric manipulation, and minimal cutting approaches. Additionally, these solutions are diversified by integrating technologies such as 3D modeling and digital prototyping that optimize design processes. This study aims to examine design approaches developed for pre-consumer zero-waste fashion design and present alternative production methods to the traditional fashion industry. In this context, the study aims to contribute to the literature by compiling innovative approaches that take into account pattern-making, material selection, technology, and interdisciplinary perspectives in sustainable fashion design. Considering the ongoing research and studies on zero waste, the guiding nature of this study becomes increasingly significant.

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