A circular design model for fashion: integrating the staple fibre spinning process

This study proposes a guideline for fashion design for recycling by integrating the staple fibre spinning process within a circular economy framework. A qualitative and practice-based approach was employed through literature review and in-depth interviews with textile recycling experts and fashion design professionals selected through purposive sampling. Inductive thematic analysis informed the development of a prototype collection based on five design principles: mono-material integrity, elimination of foreign materials, simplified construction, flat and geometric pattern cutting, and material-driven aesthetic development. Expert evaluations suggested conceptual feasibility and expert-perceived suitability across aesthetic, creative, commercial, and recyclability dimensions. The findings further indicated that mechanical recycling supports resource circulation but is most compatible with mono-material configurations rather than complex fibre blends. The study resulted in the ‘Circle of Design for Recycle with the Staple Fibre Spinning Process’ model, a process-oriented framework translating circular economy principles into practical design strategies for sustainable fashion.