(Un)Sustainable transitions towards fast and ultra-fast fashion

Tulin Dzhengiz*, Teresa Haukkala, Olli Sahimaa

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview Articlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)
174 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Due to pressing sustainability challenges, the fashion industry is undergoing tremendous change. Surprisingly, even though the unique context of fashion presents an opportunity for scholars to explore the (un)sustainable transitions, this context has yet to receive the attention of transition scholars. Our article explores fashion transitions and develops a conceptual framework demonstrating this transition's multi-level and multi-dimensional interactions. We draw on three literature areas: multi-level perspective (MLP) of sustainable transitions, institutional logics and framing contests. We then introduce a conceptual framework and illustrative examples from the industry and demonstrate the tensions between positive and negative environmental and socialsustainability developments at the niche, regime and landscape levels. We show that while many positive developments can be seen in the regime players through the adoption of corporate sustainability initiatives, new business models and collaborations, more attention should also be given to some adverse developments. Overall, we contribute to the literature by exploring fashion transitions, an under-explored context, and by demonstrating the complexity of interactions due to the diffusion of heterogeneous institutional logics and framing contests between players.

Original languageEnglish
Article number19
Number of pages33
JournalFashion and Textiles
Volume10
Issue number1
Early online date25 May 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023
MoE publication typeA2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review

Keywords

  • Fashion industry
  • Framing contests
  • Institutional logics
  • Multi-level perspective
  • Sustainability transitions
  • Unsustainability

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