C2CAD: a sustainable apparel design and production model

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement a new sustainable apparel design and production model, cradle to cradle apparel design (C2CAD), that provides guidelines for apparel designers and manufacturers to solve some of the sustainability problems related to apparel production. Design/methodology/approach -The C2CAD model was developed by integrating McDonough and Braungart's "cradle to cradle" model into existing apparel design and production models. Knitwear design and production was used to implement the C2CAD model as a proof of concept. The performance and cost of the C2CAD knitwear were evaluated. Findings -The C2CAD model has four main steps: problem definition and research; sample making; solution development and collaboration; and production. Following the four steps and with an international collaboration similar to current apparel industry practices, "Four-season sustainability" children's knitwear prototypes were developed. Produced with an acceptable manufacturing cost, the products have good mechanical and color fastness performance. Practical implications -The C2CAD model provides practical guidelines for apparel designers and manufacturers and allows them to address all three pillars in sustainable development: economic development, social development, and environmental protection. Originality/value -The C2CAD is the first apparel design and production model that emphasizes sustainability in addition to functional, expressive, and aesthetic considerations. The production process of "Four-season sustainability" children's knitwear demonstrated the implementation of C2CAD model in sustainable apparel design and production.

A United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals perspective for sustainable textile and apparel supply chain management

“…The author identifies that the TA industry has the highest priority to implementing cleaner production. Jin Gam et al (2009) propose a “cradle to cradle apparel design” strategy for the sustainable production to help the practitioners to deal with the sustainability problems in fashion production. The authors uncover that production with the proposed model can achieve good function and colour fastness.…”

Tools for Sustainable Fashion Design: An Analysis of Their Fitness for Purpose

“…Connor-Crabb [34] examined three tools for sustainable fashion design through interviews with the tool developers to determine barriers and opportunities for tool use. The majority of the literature discusses the development of a particular tool, predominately through the description of case studies [19,20,[29][30][31][34][35][36]. Other studies have identified barriers for designers adopting these tools for sustainable design.…”

Key Issues in Slow Fashion: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives

“…Firstly, it provides an overview of Slow Fashion in terms of price point, and the chosen pricing strategies [15]. Ethical Slow Fashion consumers demand goods that are produced in "sweat-free" manufacturing, and various studies have shown that, in such instances, people are willing to accept a higher price tag (e.g., [6,16,17]). One in three respondents were defined as highly involved in the Slow Fashion group, and thus willing to accept a 30 to 40 percent price premium compared to Fast Fashion products [14].…”