Fashion’s contribution to the environmental disaster is huge and continues to grow due to excess production and waste as well as resource intensive manufacturing processes. This study specifically looks at how 3D virtual design acts as a change agent in enabling practices of sustainable fashion. 3D technologies enable fashion designers to create, render and fit garments virtually, creating less physical samples and materials waste. This research addresses how 3D virtual modeling shows promise in bridging the gap from prototype to realization in the fashion industries and lessening carbon and resource footprint. These practices already being more appealing through case studies and examples in the industry, the tool has also lent support to this by enabling environmentally friendly practices such as less fabric waste, less energy use and less reliance on transportation. Also, digital prototyping speeds product development, results in more transparent supply chains, and enables on-demand production with no loss of design fluidity. The results show that current virtual 3D design practices align with ideals of sustainability and circular fashion, and can help expand creative potential. This also blends creativity with environmental stewardship, since clothing can be viewed and altered virtually, and there is no need for physical resources. Hence, leveraging 3D virtual design in the marketing of sustainable fashion is a fundamental step towards a tech savvy as well as sustainable future for the fashion industry. There is certainly potential to increase the efficiency and creativity of the process as well as significantly reduce the footprint of the fashion industry through this study to open the industry up to be a more sustainable and responsible.
Habib et al. (Wed,) studied this question.