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Revisiting upcycling phenomena: a concept in clothing industry

Manoj Kumar Paras (Faculty of Textiles, Leather and Industrial Management, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania and Department of Business Administration and Textile Management, University of Boras, Boras, Sweden and School of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University Suzhou, China)
Antonela Curteza (Faculty of Textiles, Leather and Industrial Management, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania)

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel

ISSN: 1560-6074

Article publication date: 12 March 2018

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review the literature and practice of upcycling. In particular, the objective of this study is threefold: to comprehend the concept of upcycling and, subsequently, understanding the prominent terminologies used in the literature; to understand the process of upcycling and problem associated with it; and to review current literature and practice of upcycling for clothes.

Design/methodology/approach

A scientific literature review procedure proposed by Mayring (2002) was adopted to select and screen the paper that comprises the following steps: material collection, descriptive analysis and material evaluation.

Findings

Upcycling literature has witnessed significant contribution in the past one decade. The paper has identified various terminologies and definitions such as recycling, down-cycling, upcycling and redesign, which are used in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

The present study may help the scholars to understand the current state of literature. A practitioner of upcycling can use the findings to improve and standardise the existing process.

Originality/value

The process of redesigning is one of the important steps in upcycling, which comprises ideation, reconstruction and fitting. The limitation of redesigning is variability in size and pattern. This can be overcome through various techniques such as craftsmanship, time, innovation, provenance, desire and narrative.

Keywords

Citation

Paras, M.K. and Curteza, A. (2018), "Revisiting upcycling phenomena: a concept in clothing industry", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 46-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-03-2017-0011

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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