Climate change is reshaping industries worldwide, with fashion showing some of the most visible effects. This report highlights the rise of upcycling and the growing demand for climate-responsive fabrics to show how climate change is affecting both supply and demand in fashion.
Sustainable fashion and upcycling exhibitions expand
Upcycling, turning discarded and surplus clothing into new products, is gaining attention, highlighted by a Korea-UK exhibition at DDP
Key Issues
• Artistic reuse of surplus clothing: Samsung C&T's discarded stock was reborn as installations by 20 University of the Arts London
graduates, with the fixtures resold on secondhand platforms. A zero-waste exhibition model is gaining attention as a potential
catalyst for changing how the fashion industry manages surplus inventory.
• ESG on the academic and industry agenda: Sustainability and AI were core themes at the Korean Fashion Business Society's 30th
anniversary conference, and a YoungsanUniversity student's upcycling work was selected for the international FABI exhibition. A
clear shift is emerging as academia and industry jointly pursue sustainable fashion.
Climate-responsive functional fabrics and summer fashion demand surge
As summer arrives earlier and heatwaves increase, demand for breathable, functional clothing and footwear made of linen, satin, crochet, and pleats is surging
Key Issues
• Satin and linen demand surge by fabric: On 29CM, satin skirt transaction value rose over 3x year over year with search volume up
736%, while Hazzys' linen cropped shirt sales rose 196%.
• Resort wear expands into everyday wear: Linen shirts, crochet, and pleated items are moving from resorts into commuting and
daily looks, driving brands like Hazzysto expand summer lineups.
• Diversification of functional weather gear: Breathable, water-resistant, lightweight ponchos and sandal-sneaker hybrid shoes are
emerging as new summer essentials amid unpredictable weather.
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