Although interest in eco-friendly fashion products is increasing among scholars and industry leaders, the concept of eco-friendly products remains unclear, preventing consistent assessment of which fashion products are eco-friendly. This study conducted a content analysis of eco-friendly product information from 87 domestic and 102 foreign brands to reveal key standards for categorizing eco-friendly fashion products. Product characteristic information was coded according to the four material-based standards (i.e., organic material, regenerative material, alternative material, and sustainably produced/upcycled material). Consistency between coders was confirmed by Cohen’s kappa. In results, eco-friendly fashion products are categorized by four material-based standards and two certification standards (i.e., certified, not certified). Among the four material-based categories, the greatest number of domestic and foreign companies produced eco-friendly products that were classified as the regenerative material group. In addition, companies acquired eco-friendly certifications related to the use of organic, regenerative, and alternative materials. The greatest number of eco-friendly material brands used for eco-friendly fashion products belonged to the regenerative material group. Based on the study results, a typology of eco-friendly products was suggested. This typology can benefit practitioners and academics by highlighting a need for classification system for the eco-friendly fashion products, as well as by providing insight into the categorization of eco-friendly fashion products.

With the rapid development and progress of modern social economy and science and technology, a new concept has emerged in the public's vision: the digital creative industry, which is a type of industry that combines modern information technology and cultural creative industries into one and integrates them, such as "the universe", virtual products, artificial intelligence, VR technology, and so on. Research by ARK INVEST shows that the compound growth rate of the "meta universe" will reach 17%, increasing from $180 billion currently to $390 billion in 2025. The mature "meta universe" can satisfy users to complete all social, entertainment, and other attributes similar to the real world.

Controlling fashion waste throughout the entire product lifecycle is critical in a circular economy. This study explored the possibility of establishing a public recycling system for fashion waste. Since consumer interests and participation are essential, theoretical research, social-text analysis, and quantitative research were conducted to identify consumers’ perceptions of the public recycling of fashion waste and circular fashion. Data were collected via an online survey among women in their 20–30’s living in Korea, and 304 samples were used for data analysis. The results were as follows. First, consumers’ perceptions of recycling fashion waste were composed of recycling difficulty, the need for public recycling, and the need for EPR. Circular fashion perception comprised favor, environment protection, attractiveness, economics, quality and hygiene risks, and lack of diversity. Second, the reuse-recycle attitude and need for EPR affected the favor of all types of circular fashion products. Third, environmental concerns impacted attractiveness, and the favor significantly affected the purchase intention of all types of circular fashion products. In particular, quality and hygiene risk negatively affected the purchase intention of used-fashion products, while attractiveness positively impacted the purchase intention of upcycled-fashion products. The results implied that discussing the public recycling system of fashion waste and EPR policy is imperative. The results also showed the need to classify different types of circular fashion products, such as used, upcycled, and regenerated fashion items, to examine consumers’ perceptions. In addition, the recycling of the fashion waste scale developed in this study could be used for further research.

The environment has increasingly attracted attention and fashion brands need to use new growth models by developing eco-friendly products, along with the drastic climate change. This study drew design guidelines from the factors of clothing disposal and reuse to propose ways to extend the longevity of clothing. It sets the design goals for the longevity extension of clothing as flexibility, originality, durability, and adjustability and drew a specific design guideline. The design methods used to achieve such goals are as follows. First, the design that is flexible in terms of physical changes needs to increase its activity and to be changeable, by applying pleats, rubber bands and elastic materials to the parts with many physical changes and movements. Second, it is necessary to reinforce the brand identity, create design that is flexible in terms of fashion and design very rare and attractive products, for the goal of original design beyond fashion. Third, it is necessary to increase the quality of clothing and improve the durability which can be decreased by washing and wearing. Fourth, it is necessary to create the design that can produce various styles, preserve the state of clothing and maintain its hygienic conditions by using removable detailed designs, shape-transformation designs and the designs which can be adjusted to climate changes and states, for the goal of adjustable design with better functionality. The findings provide ideas for fashion experts to pay more attention to the extending the longevity of clothing products and to develop eco-friendly designs and strategies.

Global fashion houses have recently incorporated traditional Korean motifs within their inspiration. This trend is an opportunity to showcase the colors of traditional Korean culture by investing in the new design content. Products specifically based on traditional Korean culture are lacking in brand awareness despite the success of Korean content. Accordingly, this study designs cultural products based on Korean folk painting that captures Korean people’s satirical sense of humor. Korean folk painting theories are analyzed, from which different types of folk paintings are classified based on research of bibliographies and online documents. Following classification, the results are dataized as different types of folk paintings and their meanings. Furthermore, images of folk paintings are categorized and scanned digitally. The digitized images of the folk paintings are processed through Adobe Photoshop CS for overall layout and Adobe Illustrator CS for detailed designs. Traditional categories of Korean folk paintings are used, including flowers and birds, letters, and study stationery. Using the main elements of the flower and birds category, designs with cultural products such as images of flowers, birds, animals, and fish are produced. The final designs are used to create fashion items that can easily be used for embellishment or self-presentation: a scarf and a necktie. The scarf and the necktie are not only merchandise; they also symbolize the story, humor, and hope that Korean folk paintings once symbolized.

The purpose of this study is to reveal and compare the differences in the types and characteristics of purchase channel journeys of MZ generation consumers. In this study a survey was conducted on the purchase channel journey of 20 women in the MZ generation using the ethnographic method of in-depth interviews and observations. As a result, three purchase channel journeys were identified: mobile, multi-channel, and offline. These were variously subdivided according to the characteristics of the MZ generations. Gen Z’s journey was categorized into types: fashion platform app, Youtube, multi-channel supplement, multi-channel non-planned store visit, offline loyalty store, and impulsive offline store. Gen M’s journey was categorized as: an online community bond, portal site, online loyalty store, multi-channel brand involvement, multi-channel efficiency, a multi-channel conversion, offline efficiency and offline task. The difference in mobile journey between generations was found in the time and length of the purchase. Gen M recognized both online and offline search processes to be tiring, while Gen Z enjoyed the search process using the online path. In the offline journey Gen Z began with their own intention to purchase, while Gen M sometimes recognized that purchasing fashion products necessary for work was a cumbersome task.

This study examined the effect of Instagram usage time (short, long) and spending on fashion products (light, heavy) on product attitude and purchase intention of products promoted by an influencer. The moderating effect of influencer type (mega, macro, micro) was also investigated. A total of 515 males and females in their 20s participated in an online survey. Descriptive statistics were analyzed and exploratory factor analysis and two-way ANOVA were conducted. Research findings were as follows. First, the usage time, both short and long, had a positive effect on product attitude. Also, the interactive effects of usage time and influencer type on product attitude were found. Consumers with short Instagram usage time displayed the highest attitude toward products promoted by a macro-influencer whereas consumers with long Instagram usage time displayed the highest attitude toward products promoted by a micro-influencer. Second, usage time and influencer type did not show interactive effects on purchase intention. Third, both categoriacl variables of users’ spending on fashion products had a positive effect on product attitude. Fourth, the interaction effects of spending on fashion products and influencer types on purchase intention were found. The group of light buyers showed the highest purchase intention on products promoted by the macro-influencer while the group of heavy buyers showed the highest purchase intention of products promoted by the micro-influencer. Based on the results, implications were suggested.

This study examined factors that influence purchase intention of ethically produced fashion products. Theory of Reasoned Action was used to understand consumer attitude formation and purchase intention of ethically produced fashion products. Two unique variables were studied (environmental awareness, environmental concern) with the consumer attitude toward the purchase intention of ethically produced products. The influence of subjective norms on purchase intention was also examined. The results showed the influence of environmental concern on both attitude and purchase intention along with the influence of attitude on purchase intention. The findings of this study contribute to the body of the existing knowledge in the area of ethical production by providing explanations and a broad understanding of the factors that influence purchase intention of ethically produced fashion products. The results will also provide insight to firms wanting to effectively convey pro-environmental efforts to consumers that will help branding, positioning, and potential sales increase.

With the consolidation of online shopping, there is a need to gain insight into consumer decision-making within the digital sphere. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence online shopping intention of fashion products, among female Millennials. By means of a proposed conceptual model, seven hypotheses were tested and data was collected from three hundred young females in South Africa. The data analysis was conducted using SEM in SPSS 23 and AMOS 23, and the results indicated that four of the seven hypotheses were supported. The results from this study provide online fashion retailers with insight into how they can utilise online shopping platforms to reap the financial results from this concept.

This study aimed at examining fashion consumers’ awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big data analysis methods, such as text mining, social network analysis, and regression analysis, were applied to user posts about fashion on Korean portal websites and social media during COVID-19. R 3.4.4, UCINET 6, and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data. The results were as follows. In researching the popular fashion-related topics during COVID-19, the prevention of infection and prophylaxis were significant concerns in the early stage (Jan 1 to Jan 31, 2020), and changed to online channels and online fashion platforms. Then, various topics and fashion keywords appeared with COVID-19-related keywords afterwards. Fashion-related subjects concerned prophylaxis, home life, digital and beauty products, online channels, and fashion consumption. In comparing fashion consumers’ awareness during COVID-19 with SARS and MERS, “face masks” was the common keyword for all three illnesses; yet, the prevention of infection was a major consumer concern in fashion-related subjects during COVD-19 only. As COVD-19 cases increased, the search volume for face masks, shoes, and home clothes also increased. Consumer awareness about face masks shifted from blocking yellow dust and micro-dust to the sociocultural significance and short supply. Keywords related to performance turned out to be the major awareness as to shoes, and home clothes were repurposed with an expanded range of use.

This study aimed to analyze the performance of Disney-collaborated fashion lines based on online consumer reviews. To do so, the researchers employed text mining and network analysis to identify key words in the reviews of these products. Blogs, internet cafes, and web documents provided by Naver, Daum, and YoutTube were selected as subjects for the analysis. The analysis period was limited to one year after for the 2019. Data collection and analysis were conducted using Python 3.7, Textom, and NodeXL. The research terms in question were as follows: ‘Disney fashion collaboration’ and ‘Frozen fashion collaboration’. Preliminary survey results indicated that ‘Elsa’s dress’ was the most frequently mentioned term and that the domestic fashion brand Eland Retail was the most active in selling Disney branded clothing through its own brand. The writers of reviews for Disney-collaborated fashion products were primarily mothers with daughters. Their decision to purchase these products was based upon the following factors; price, size, stability of decoration, shipping, laundry, and retailer. The motives for purchasing the product were the positive response of the consumer’s child and the satisfaction of the parents due to the child’s response. The problems to be solved included insufficient quantity of supply, delay in delivery, expensive price considering the number of times children’s clothes are worn, poor glitter decoration, faded color, contamination from laundry, and undesirable smells immediately after the purchase.

This research develops an under-investigated aspect of the business literature regarding firm-created and user-generated social media communication and their influence on purchase intention of endorsed fashion products. The results indicate that (i) brand equity mediates the relationship between social media communication and purchase intention of endorsed fashion products, and (ii) the mediational role of brand equity is further moderated by the consumer’s self-congruity with fashion brands.

본 연구는 패션제품에 QR코드를 부착하여 소재와 세탁 등의 전문적 정보의 제공뿐 아니라 기업과 소비자, 소비자와 소비자를 연결하는 기능을 부여할 수 있도록 하기 위한 기초연구로 QR코드 적용 시 요구되는 정보에 대한 소비자의 인식과 선호를 조사하였다. 타 연령대보다 스마트폰 보급률이 높고 1인 가구의 비율이 높아 비대면 정보교환의 필요성이 높을 것으로 생각되는 20대를 대상으로 설문하였다. 현행 라벨을 통한 의류제품의 정보제공 방법에 대해서 개선의 필요성이 확인되었으며 특히 불충분한 정보제공, 전문적인 용어 사용, 세탁 기호의 불확실함이 불만족의 요인이었다. 따라서 다양한 방식으로 많은 정보를 전달할 수 있는 QR코드는 패션제품의 관리 정보제공의 효율적인 대안이 될 수 있을 것이다. 또한 응답자들은 아웃도어, 패딩, 정장 등의 고관여 의류 상품과 신체에 닿는 언더웨어류에 대해서 자세한 세탁방법, 사용 및 보관 시 유의사항, 소재의 기능성에 대한 정보를 얻고 싶어 했으며 캐주얼웨어, 코트에 대해서는 제품을 활용한 SNS 데일리룩, 제품과 어울리는 다른 상품, 비슷한 아이템의 추천 등 스타일링이나 의복 구매 정보를 제공받고 싶어했다. 따라서 QR코드를 이와 같은 다양한 정보 제공을 위한 웹사이트 또는 SNS의 연결수단 으로 사용한다면 소비자들의 정보추구 욕구의 충족과 함께 현명한 제품 사용을 도울 수 있을 것이며 초 연결시대 패션제품의 새로운 역할을 부여하는 대안이 될 수 있을 것이다.

Recently, the textile and fashion industry has adopted 3D printing technology, through which filaments are accumulated continuously in the form of sections to produce digitalized three-dimensional fashion products. Little research has been done regarding the consumer perspectives on 3D printed fashion product. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of consumer innovativeness, uniqueness, and perception factors on consumer attitudes and purchasing intentions for 3D printed fashion products. A questionnaire was given to consumers living in Seoul and Kyunggi, South Korea. The data obtained from the 159 completed questionnaires was analyzed by regression analysis, factor analysis, and Cronbach’s alpha using SPSS 24.0. The results were as follows: First, consumer innovativeness and uniqueness, in descending order, positively affect the perceived social image. Consumer innovativeness positively affects perceived aesthetics and consumer uniqueness positively affects perceived novelty. Second, social image has a positive effect on consumer attitudes to 3D printed fashion products. Third, consumer attitude positively affects purchasing intentions towards 3D printed fashion products. Fourth, consumer innovativeness and uniqueness, in descending order, have a positive effect on consumer attitudes and purchasing intentions for 3D printed fashion products. Fifth, social image and novelty, in descending order, positively affect purchase intentions for 3D printed fashion products. Therefore fashion firms should develop their marketing strategy to focus on innovative, unique consumers as a main target and aim to enhance buyers’ social image by using 3D printed fashion products.

Fast fashion brands gain their competitive advantages through launching new products to the market quickly in order to adapt to consumer’s rapidly changing preferences. Despite of these advantages, the fast fashion business model, in which accelerated process of product design, production, and launch is implemented, inevitably generates ethically controversial issues in fashion industry, such as intensifying environmental pollution during the production process, exploiting designers and workers, or excessively wasting resources. One possible solution to these problems might lie in reducing demand towards fast fashion products. Thus, this present study intends to explore potential means to reduce demand. It will begin with a review of literature regarding ethical concerns raised by fast fashion business model, consumers’ views towards buying fast fashion products and these concerns, and existing methods employed to reduce harm derived from fast fashion brands. Content analysis of articles and online posts addressing fashion and ethics related topics will also be conducted to collect first-hand information regarding these aspects. As a result, potential strategies or practices aiming at solving problems generated by unethical fast fashion business practices could be discovered and derived. Findings of this study are expected to provide more organized thoughts regarding ethical issues associated with fast fashion business model and how these issues concern the industry and consumers. Specifically, results of the preliminary examination will help us understand how general public and consumers perceive fast fashion business models and brands, their business practices, ethical concerns associated with these practices, and their proposed solutions. It is expected that consumers might be more willing to reduce unnecessary purchases of fashion goods if they are more aware of unethical business practices generated by practicing fast fashion business model. These results are expected to offer insights into potential strategies that (1) can be employed by policy makers to reduce waste and promote green consumption, (2) help raise consumers’ awareness regarding the negative impact of fast fashion business model, and (3) assist to return to a healthier fashion industry.

This study examined the risk components and risk types perceived in the context of purchasing decisions of paper fashion products. This study also identified the levels of perceived risk by consumers and the differences between age groups in risk perception. First, qualitative data were collected through a focus group interview with 7 Korean females in their 20s to 50s. The interviewees were presented with two types of paper materials (undyed and dyed Jumchi-Hanji) and products (bags and wallets) made with the papers. The interviewees mentioned 11 risk components which were classified into five types of risks: performance (easily torn/lack of durableness, lint/pilling/wear-out, lack of water-resistant, no washability, and deformation and discoloration over time), social-psychological (old and traditional image), aesthetic (lack of design diversity, unsatisfactory appearance due to repair), financial (expensive price, lack of usability in daily life) and time/convenience (difficulty in handling) risks. Based on the results of the interview, a measurement for evaluating the risk perception of paper fashion products was developed. Second, quantitative data were collected from 64 Korean women in their 20s to 50s using the measurement. Respondents who were presented with the paper materials and the products perceived the performance risk more strongly than the social-psychological risk and aesthetic risk. In addition, differences between age groups were found: younger respondents perceived performance risk and social-psychological risk more strongly than older respondents, but older respondents perceived financial risk more than younger respondents. Based on this study, strategies for the risk reduction of paper fashion products were proposed.