Contents


Preface

We approached the editing of this book on the fashion industry with a clear vision,

Fashion is a lot more than providing an answer to primary needs. It is a way of distinction, of proclaiming a unique taste, and/or expressing the belonging to a group. Sometimes to an exclusive group. Currently, the fashion industry is moving towards hyperspace, to a multidimensional world that is springing from the integration of

It is far beyond aesthetics, though new properties of smart textiles have allowed designers to experiment with astonishing forms and expressions. There are new functionalities made possible by the interactions between wearable technologies,

There are also surprising contrasts and challenges: a new life for natural fibers, fabrics, and dyeing techniques, environmental friendliness, rediscovered by ecofashion, and "artificial apparel," made of microprocessors, sensors, and actuators. A movement begun by makers, startups, and microcompanies that today solicits the interest of famous fashion makers. Is the fashion industry taking profit from this revolution? How is this revolution affecting the strategies of the fashion industry?

With this spirit, we have selected scientific works capable of composing the multi-

The theme of sustainability takes to the stage and becomes the protagonist of the first part of the book. Very complex issues, involving economic, social, and environmental aspects, are dealt with in two phases: initially, through three contributions on tools that allow companies to collect and provide evidence of their environmental motivation; therefore, through effective examples of the application of technologies and methodologies aimed at improving communication with

Chapter 1 discusses "Sustainability initiatives in the fashion industry," by Li Li, and proposes an itinerary in four steps: an overview of the most concerning environmental impacts caused by the fashion industry; current leading collective sustainability campaigns mobilizing the fashion industry; current available benchmarks and tools for measuring environmental impact of the textile lifecycle; and examples of how companies in the fashion industry are executing sustainability initiatives in

The goal of the second chapter, written by D.G.K. Dissanayake, is to provide a detailed and robust answer to the question that stands also as the title of the chapter: "Does mass customization enable sustainability in the fashion industry?" The starting point is the consideration of the dimension, in environmental form, of the

formalized in the invitation to contribute.

smart textiles and wearable technologies.

faceted world of fashion in a single design.

consumers and eco-compatible solutions.

their products or processes.

Now, the outcome of the process is in your hands.

fabrics, and the wearer.
