From Textile Waste to Wearable Advance Fashion Design and Sustainable Denim Through Fabric Reconstruction and Fusion Techniques

Abstract

The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to textile waste and environmental degradation, particularly within denim production due to intensive water consumption, chemical usage, and post consumer waste. This research explores an experimental, practice- based approach to sustainable fashion through the development of a five-garment denim-based collection created entirely from textile waste sourced from local markets. The study focuses on waste denim, discarded fabric swatches, and surplus materials such as organza and net, which are re-engineered through fabric surface development, stitching-based reconstruction, natural dyeing, and alternative denim wash techniques. Each garment represents a different strategy of recycling, fabric manipulation, and fusion design, while maintaining practical wearability. The outcomes demonstrate that waste textiles can be transformed into aesthetically refined, functional garments, contributing to circular fashion practices and offering a scalable model for sustainable denim design in emerging markets.