A new publication by RMIT aims to transform product design in the fashion industry, promoting sustainability and a circular economy.

Experts in sustainable fashion at RMIT University have recently unveiled a comprehensive guide designed to revolutionize product design within the global fashion industry. This innovative publication, titled “Refashioning: Accelerating Circular Product Design at Scale,” aims to counter the prevalent linear production and consumption model that is responsible for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The guide lays out a strategic framework for makers to transition towards a circular design approach, which focuses on maximizing the lifespan of products and materials. This significant shift is essential for rethinking the entire lifecycle of fashion items, from their conception to potential end-of-life recycling.

Leading this project, Professor Alice Payne, the Dean of RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles, emphasized the guide’s potential to challenge conventional design thinking. “This guide provides a systematic approach to implementing circular clothing design in a way that all organizations can implement, regardless of their size,” she said. Professor Payne noted that this resource is built upon extensive research conducted in partnership with industry stakeholders, offering practical, actionable steps for businesses to enhance the circularity of their offerings.

The development of the guide was a collaborative effort involving RMIT, the Country Road Group, and independent sustainability experts Courtney Holm and Julie Boulton. The project particularly focused on key design considerations such as material selection, product purpose, durability, and end-of-life options, which must all be incorporated early in the design process for a successful transition to a circular economy.

In a statement to the publication, Matt Genever, CEO of Sustainability Victoria, highlighted the significance of the research, noting how it effectively connects industry, government, and academia to tackle textile waste challenges. “It’s an example of how effective cross-sector collaboration can generate impactful results in the transition to a circular economy,” Genever said.

The guide’s design process was notably practical, having been tested and refined in real-world contexts over the past year with eight product and design teams from four brands within the Country Road Group—namely Country Road, Trenery, Witchery, and Politix. This hands-on approach ensured the guidelines were responsive to the actual challenges faced by the fashion industry.

Erika Martin, Head of Sustainability at Country Road Group, acknowledged the important strides made during the guide’s creation, stating that it has fostered a unified understanding of circular design principles across the Group’s various brands. “This project delivered a clear vision for circular design and leveraged the expertise in the industry, academia, and our own business,” she remarked.

The RMIT team, which also included co-authors Yassie Samie, Jenny Underwood, Saniyat Islam, Rebecca Van Amber, and Regine Abos, collectively contributed to this unique and practical resource aimed at driving sustainable change within the fashion sector.

For further details and to access the guide, interested parties can visit the dedicated website.

Source: Noah Wire Services