Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Materials Sourcing for Commercial Upcycled Fashion Production: An Exploration of Approaches

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Abstract

Commercial upcycling has experienced significant growth as an essential component in expanding the sustainable circular economy. Despite the increase of fashion brands integrating upcycling into their production strategies, reliable access to the pre-and post-consumer materials used to create these lines remains an obstacle for some businesses, which can impede their ability to scale. This research examines where and how upcycled fashion businesses source their materials. The findings of this study reveal that the landscape for sourcing upcycled materials is highly varied and often occurs in spaces not typically associated with traditional fashion manufacturing. This complex web of social, material, financial, and creative assets overlap and intersect with one another with varying intensity. These relationships shape what is possible for upcyclers in terms of design, product development, the quantities they can produce, customer satisfaction, and the markup on goods that will ensure a sustainable future for their businesses. 

Keywords: upcycling, sourcing, sustainable fashion, circular economy, post-consumer textiles

How to Cite:

Roberts, K. & Green, D. N., (2025) “Materials Sourcing for Commercial Upcycled Fashion Production: An Exploration of Approaches”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18889