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Upcycling Textile Waste into Contemporary Fashion
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Textile Waste into Contemporary Fashion
DOI: 10.64388/ire1724666
Abstract
The fashion and textile industry generates a considerable amount of textile waste during manufacturing, garment production, distribution and consumption. The increasing demand for fashion products and changing consumer preferences have contributed to the growing challenge of textile waste management. A significant portion of fabric leftovers, cutting scraps and rejected materials still has the potential to be used in new products rather than being discarded. This research explores the concept of upcycling textile waste into contemporary fashion products, with particular emphasis on pre-consumer cotton fabric scraps generated during garment production. The study focuses on identifying suitable textile waste materials available through garment manufacturing units, tailoring shops and boutiques in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It examines how discarded fabric can be transformed into aesthetically appealing, functional and commercially relevant fashion products through creative design techniques. An exploratory and practice-based research approach is adopted, combining secondary literature with primary material observations and design experimentation. Techniques such as patchwork, appliqué, fabric manipulation, reconstruction, panel construction and surface embellishment are considered for developing contemporary fashion products. The research also explores the development of upcycled textile jewellery and accessories as an additional approach to material utilisation. The study highlights the importance of material selection, design innovation and responsible production in creating value from textile waste. It aims to demonstrate how fashion design can contribute to sustainable material practices while maintaining contemporary aesthetics, functionality and creative expression.
Keywords
Upcycling; textile waste; contemporary fashion; cotton scraps; sustainable fashion; circular economy; material innovation
References
[1] Aus R, Moora H, Vihma M, Unt R, Kiisa M, Kapur S (2021). Designing for circular fashion: Integrating upcycling into conventional garment manufacturing processes. Fashion and Textiles, 8, 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-021-00262-9
[2] Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017). A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s future. Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Cowes. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
[3] Kamble Z, Behera BK (2022). Upcycling textile wastes: Challenges and innovations. Textile Progress, 53(2), 65–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405167.2021.1986965
[4] Ministry of Textiles, Government of India (2026). Mapping of textile waste value chain in India: A comprehensive look at India’s textile waste ecosystem. Government of India, New Delhi. https://www.texmin.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/03/407c2f186a2044a4497c9c9803d16a2c.pdf
[5] Singh S, Rani J (2021). Traditional Indian textile techniques used to upcycle and recycle textile waste. Textile & Leather Review, 4, 336–353. https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2021.29
[6] United Nations Environment Programme (2023). Sustainability and circularity in the textile value chain: A global roadmap. UNEP, Nairobi. https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/42580
How to cite this paper
@article{1724666,
author = {Shambhavi Sharan, Shveta Anugarh},
title = {Upcycling Textile Waste into Contemporary Fashion},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {5},
pages = {1633-1641},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1724666.pdf},
abstract = {The fashion and textile industry generates a considerable amount of textile waste during manufacturing, garment production, distribution and consumption. The increasing demand for fashion products and changing consumer preferences have contributed to the growing challenge of textile waste management. A significant portion of fabric leftovers, cutting scraps and rejected materials still has the potential to be used in new products rather than being discarded. This research explores the concept of upcycling textile waste into contemporary fashion products, with particular emphasis on pre-consumer cotton fabric scraps generated during garment production. The study focuses on identifying suitable textile waste materials available through garment manufacturing units, tailoring shops and boutiques in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It examines how discarded fabric can be transformed into aesthetically appealing, functional and commercially relevant fashion products through creative design techniques. An exploratory and practice-based research approach is adopted, combining secondary literature with primary material observations and design experimentation. Techniques such as patchwork, appliqué, fabric manipulation, reconstruction, panel construction and surface embellishment are considered for developing contemporary fashion products. The research also explores the development of upcycled textile jewellery and accessories as an additional approach to material utilisation. The study highlights the importance of material selection, design innovation and responsible production in creating value from textile waste. It aims to demonstrate how fashion design can contribute to sustainable material practices while maintaining contemporary aesthetics, functionality and creative expression.},
keywords = {Upcycling; textile waste; contemporary fashion; cotton scraps; sustainable fashion; circular economy; material innovation},
month = {November},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/ire1724666}
}