UNRAVELING SUSTAINABILITY IN ASIAN FASHION: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND INTERDISCIPLINARY PATHWAYS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/aisr.2025.25Keywords:
Sustainable Fashion, Textile Industry, Environmental Impact, Circular Economy, Supply Chain TransparencyAbstract
This review examines the multifaceted challenges hindering the growth of sustainable fashion in Asia, a critical region for global textile production and consumption. Identifying structural, cultural, and financial obstacles, the study analyzes 97 peer-reviewed publications from 2019 to 2025 using the PRISMA framework. Key issues include supply chain transparency, labor ethics, consumer awareness, affordability, raw material sourcing, technological constraints, regulatory gaps, environmental impacts, and the adoption of a circular economy. Findings indicate low environmental literacy among consumers in Bangladesh and Vietnam, exacerbated by pricing challenges. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in accessing sustainable inputs due to the geographical concentration of raw material sourcing. Case studies from China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam reveal persistent inequalities in infrastructure and legislation alongside local innovations. The review advocates for more vigorous policy enforcement, consumer education, technological investment, and collaborative projects tailored to Asia's unique socioeconomic landscape, providing a comprehensive overview of Asia's role in sustainable fashion and identifying key areas for interdisciplinary research and policy development.
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