Cornell University
Library
Cornell UniversityLibrary

eCommons

Help
Log In(current)
  1. Home
  2. Cornell University Graduate School
  3. Cornell Theses and Dissertations
  4. LOST IN TRANSLATION: FINDING THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE IN SUSTAINABLE FASHION TO COPE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL OBSTACLES IN DESIGNER’S AND CONSUMERS’ ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING

LOST IN TRANSLATION: FINDING THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE IN SUSTAINABLE FASHION TO COPE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL OBSTACLES IN DESIGNER’S AND CONSUMERS’ ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING

File(s)
Gyenge_cornell_0058O_12057.pdf (17.47 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/28r3-gg65
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/115815
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Gyenge, Anna
Abstract

The study examines the psychological factors that influence ethical awareness among fashion designers and consumers, with a particular focus on the selection of sustainable textiles. By addressing challenges such as confusion, paralysis and distrust, the research seeks to identify strategies that promote ethical decision-making in material and product selection. A mixed-methods approach including surveys and interviews before and after a short educational film will be used to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and emotions of designers (professional and emerging) and consumers while evaluating existing sustainable fashion certifications. The primary goal of the study is to provide a solution for getting designers more involved and evoking a willingness to use sustainable materials, thereby enabling informed and ethical consumer behavior. It is hypothesized that emotionally charged sustainability communication and education can evoke moral-responsibility and will; a more accurate and reliable ethical fashion education through the development of a sustainable lexicon could alleviate eco-anxiety, paralysis, and guilt. Affective design education is expected to produce confident, aware, and morally responsible designers capable of creating superior products that facilitate sustainable consumer choices, resulting in a more responsible industry practice. The research results have the potential to influence the ethical fashion discourse and by addressing the emotional and psychological barriers faced by stakeholders, ease the transition to responsible fashion practices. Moreover, offer a reliable visual and written framework particularly in the areas of sustainable materials, design, consumption, and both designer and consumer psychology. Combining the two can lead to a more sustainable fashion industry.

Description
235 pages
Date Issued
2024-05
Keywords
certifications
•
climate change
•
designers
•
eco-anxiety
•
greenwashing
•
supply chain
Committee Chair
Park, Heeju
Committee Member
Pizarro, David
Degree Discipline
Fiber Science and Apparel Design
Degree Name
M.A., Fiber Science and Apparel Design
Degree Level
Master of Arts
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Type
dissertation or thesis
Link(s) to Catalog Record
https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/16575656

Site Statistics | Help

About eCommons | Policies | Terms of use | Contact Us

copyright © 2002-2026 Cornell University Library | Privacy | Web Accessibility Assistance