FASHION DESIGN APPAREL FROM COTTON FIBERS RECYCLED WITH THE CONCEPT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Abstract

The study of fashion apparel design from recycled cotton fiber based on Circular Economy concept aimed to 1) to develop recycled cotton fiber based on Circular Economy concept, 2) to design fashion apparels from recycled cotton fiber, and 3) to evaluate the consumers’ satisfaction towards fashion apparel design from recycled cotton fiber. The research employed mixed methods including the qualitative and quantitative methods. The participants consisted of three experts in Circular Economy product design and apparel design, as well as 100 consumers. The research instruments were an interview and a questionnaire to evaluate consumer satisfaction. The data was analyzed by using the descriptive statistics including percentage, mean and standard deviation. The result elucidated that 1) recycled cotton fiber possessed physical characteristics such as softness and durability, making it suitable for various textile techniques, including tying, knotting, twisting, and weaving on a loom. It also met the industrial product standards, confirming its viability for recycling under the Circular Economy concept. Therefore, the cotton fiber could be recycled based on the Circular Economy concept.  2) The collection included six apparel designs inspired by Victorian costumes, consisting of a jacket, suit, trench coat, shirt, crop top, pants, and skirt. 3) The evaluation of consumers' satisfaction indicated the highest level of overall satisfaction towards the inspiration and materials used in designing contemporary fashion apparels for both men and women (4.52). Additionally, the highest level of overall satisfaction was attributed to the use of recycled cotton fiber based on the Circular Economy concept (4.54).