Research on Multi-Functional Fashion Contributes to Sustainable Development

Khanh Trang Le1, , Thi Kim Lien Dang1, Thanh Thao Nguyen1, Thi Thu Nguyet Vu1
1 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Main Article Content

Abstract

The study addresses the environmental impact of fast fashion and garment waste by exploring the development of
sustainable, multifunctional fashion. The research aims to reduce excessive consumption while maintaining both
aesthetic and functional appeal. It focuses on transformation techniques, such as adjustable cuts, detachable
elements, and convertible features, to enhance garment versatility and extend product lifecycles. By analyzing
fashion trends among youth, a group with significant influence over fashion markets, the study identifies key
stylistic preferences and integrates them into the design process. Additionally, the research investigates using
recycled materials and refined tailoring methods to promote eco-friendly production practices. The results reveal
that these designs offer unique, adaptable fashion items that align with sustainable trends, combining diverse
styles and high functionality. The study demonstrates that flexible, reusable designs can encourage consumers to
make more sustainable fashion choices, reducing textile waste while still allowing for creativity and
self-expression in clothing. By promoting multifunctional garments, the research highlights the potential for
fashion to contribute to a circular economy, where longevity, adaptability, and eco-consciousness are prioritized
in consumer habits. This approach not only offers practical solutions to environmental concerns but also supports
the broader shift towards sustainable fashion.

Article Details

References

[1] K. Bailey, A. Basu, and S. Sharma, The environmental
impacts of fast fashion on water quality: a systematic
review, Water, vol. 14, iss. 7, Mar. 2022, Art. no. 1073.
http://doi.org/10.3390/w14071073
[2] I. van Herpen, Shift Souls - Haute Couture, Jan. 2019,
Online. [Available]:
https://www.irisvanherpen.com/haute-couture/shiftsouls,
Accessed on: Sep. 30, 2025.
[3] H. Chalayan, Spring/summer 2007 ready-to-wear
collection: one hundred and eleven, Vogue, Paris
Fashion Week, Oct. 2006, Online. [Available]:
https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2007-
ready-to-wear/hussein-chalayan, Accessed on: Sep. 30,
2025.
[4] V. Flander-Putrle, J. Francé, and P. Mozetič,
Phytoplankton pigments reveal size structure and
interannual variability of the coastal phytoplankton
community (Adriatic Sea), Water, vol. 14, iss. 1,
Dec. 2021, Art. no. 23.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w14010023
[5] I. Nemeša, M. Pešić, N. Bukhonka, V. Božoki, and
J. Šuščević, Transformable clothing to reduce
pre- and post-consumer textile waste, in Proceedings
7th International Scientific Conference
Contemporary Trends and Innovations in Textile
Industry - CT&ITI 2024, IV Ecology & sustain
devel, pp. 497-504.
https://doi.org/10.5937/CT_ITI24055N
[6] M. Irovan, I. Tuturanu, S. Balan, and V. Labutina,
Using the principles of transformation in the
development of new design clothes-making for
women, Annals of the University of Oradea, Fascicle
of Textiles, Leatherwork, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 75-80,
2016.
[7] M. Gong, Sustainable fashion design: transformable
garments for versatility and longevity, M.A. thesis,
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2014.
[8] VnExpress, 12 Female Designers Influencing the
Fashion World (In Vietnamese: 12 NTK nữ ảnh
hưởng làng mốt), 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://vnexpress.net/12-ntk-nu-anh-huong-langmot-
4102164.html
[9] Christian Dior AW 2022: The next era - bridging
the gap between technology and fashion,
Style Republik, Mar. 2022. [Online]. Available:
https://style-republik.com/christian-dior-thu-dong-
2022-the-next-era/, Accessed on: Sep. 30, 2025.
[10] J. Peter, Transformable fashion: the biggest sustainable
clothing trend that never was, Fashion Studies Journal,
Oct. 22, 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://www.fashionstudiesjournal.org/longform/
2018/9/15/transformable-fashion, Accessed on:
Sep. 30, 2025.
[11] R. Faure, What is transformable clothing?, Off-Wrld
Techwear, Sep. 2023. [Online]. Available:
https://www.offwrld-techwear.com/, Accessed on:
Sep. 30, 2025.
[12] D. Rosová, Exploring sustainable potential of
transformable fashion, Bachelor’s thesis (Smart and
Sustainable Design), Rosová, Dominika, 2024.
[Online]. Available:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024052114055
[13] B. Wei, and M. Ruppert-Stroescu, Sustainable
fashion development: applying transformational
design, in Proc. Int. Textile & Apparel Assoc.
(ITAA) Conf. Proc., 2017.
[14] A. Rees, and M. Rocca, STEPIC Innovations 2025,
WGSN report, 2022. [Online]. Available:
https://www.wgsn.com/en, Accessed on: Sep. 30,
2025.
[15] ThredUP, Resale Report 2023, Fashion Journal, vol. 10,
2023. [Online]. Available:
https://www.thredup.com/resale, Accessed on: Sep. 30,
2025.
[16] Deloitte, The Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial, and Gen
Z Survey, Deloitte, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/aboutdeloitte/
articles/millennialsurvey.html, Accessed on:
Sep. 30, 2025.
[17] A. Rees, and M. Rocca, Future consumer 2025, WGSN,
Futures, vol. 125, 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://www.wgsn.com/en
[18] S. Li, How Gen Z uses social media to find fashion,
Information, Communication & Society, vol. 25, no. 4,
2022.