A New Longevity Design Methodology Based on Consumer-Oriented Quality for Fashion Products

Romain Benkirane, Sébastien Thomassey, Ludovic Koehl and Anne Perwuelz
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Romain Benkirane: ENSAIT, ULR 2461-GEMTEX-Génie et Matériaux Textiles, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
Sébastien Thomassey: ENSAIT, ULR 2461-GEMTEX-Génie et Matériaux Textiles, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
Ludovic Koehl: ENSAIT, ULR 2461-GEMTEX-Génie et Matériaux Textiles, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
Anne Perwuelz: ENSAIT, ULR 2461-GEMTEX-Génie et Matériaux Textiles, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: Design for longevity is known as an eco-design opportunity and could help to reduce the environmental footprint of energy-free items. However, extending the lifespan of products is not always desirable and the focus should be on achieving an optimal lifespan. Operationally, recommendations for design for longevity usually refer to durability, repairability, upgradability or emotional attachment. The use of high-quality and robust material is frequently stated, although it is not obvious what high-quality material is. Based on a quality by design approach, this study aims to propose a methodology to design for optimal longevity with a consumer-oriented approach. To do so, it includes data collection of product quality and manufacturing processes and then embeds consumers’ knowledge. These are combined into data analysis to help to highlight relationships and the most appropriate quality contributors. This methodology relies on three-steps: first, a single quality score which includes consumers’ knowledge; secondly, a multi-scale reverse-engineering process; and finally a data analysis using principal component analysis. The originality of such a proposal is that it enables the consumers’ knowledge to be considered in the identification of appropriated quality contributors. The proposed methodology is implemented in the fashion sector as it is said to be the second most polluting one. Moreover, given the huge variety of materials and production processes available in textiles, the selection of the most suitable recommendations to support a longer lifespan is very complex. The presented case study involves 29 T-shirts and reveals the mechanical-related strengths to be the main quality contributors.

Keywords: design for longevity; resources efficiency; quality contributors; consumer involvement; reverse engineering; principal component analysis; clothing sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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