A Comparative Analysis of Vegan Fashion Design Features on Social Media in Korea and the United States

This study explores vegan fashion in Korea and the United States through big data and content analysis, focusing on word and topic distribution on social media and their design implications. In Korea, words like “vegetable”, “cactus”, and “pineapple” were frequently used, reflecting vegan concepts, while paradoxically, terms like “duck fur” and “sheep leather” also appeared. In contrast, the United States discourse highlighted diverse product terms such as “dresses”, “sweaters”, and “leggings”. Topic modeling identified five themes: vegan fashion brands, eco-friendly practices, plant-based materials, animal ethics, and vegan consumption. In terms of design, both countries emphasized alternative plant-based materials over creativity. However, Korean vegan fashion favored casual items like t-shirts, cardigans, and skirts, blending basic silhouettes with trendy street-style aesthetics. American vegan fashion, by contrast, leaned toward sporty imagery with bold colors such as pink, green, and purple.