The management of sustainable fashion design strategies: An analysis of the designer's role

Abstract The aim of this research is to advance an understanding of how design in the fashion industry can be successfully managed to contribute to environmental sustainability. Its objectives are to investigate how fashion businesses use environmentally sustainable strategies and how designers contribute to the development of sustainable products. The article reviews the literature of the sustainability of fashion through the circular economy and design management. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews and a quantitative survey of designers in the UK. A framework based on the level of business engagement in sustainability was used to structure the thematic analysis of the findings. The research demonstrates the relatively low influence of designers on sustainable fashion strategy and their engagement at a tactical organizational level. It concludes by developing a model for the integration of designers into the management of sustainable fashion business.