The Development of Innovative Insulation Alternative Materials from Kapok Fibers for the Creation of Fashion Products to a Sustainable Fashion Brand

Abstract

Growing awareness of sustainability and environmental responsibility has led to increasing interest in alternative materials derived from natural resources. This issue has become particularly significant within the contemporary fashion industry. This research on the development of innovative alternative insulation materials from kapok fibers for fashion product creation toward a sustainable fashion brand aims to identify approaches for developing insulation materials derived from kapok fibers and to explore design strategies for fashion products utilizing these materials.This study employed a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative research with experimental development of alternative material innovations and creative design development within the field of art and design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with a panel of 17 experts, including specialists in fashion and textile material innovation, academics, and professionals in fashion and textile design. The reliability of the expert consensus showed an error margin ranging from 0.48 to 0.54.

The research findings revealed that: (1) The development of alternative insulation materials from kapok fibers for fashion product creation is most suitable for non-woven textile production using a thermal bonding process, which enables fibers to bond together through heat. Kapok fibers were combined with Polyester Low Melt and recycled polyester in varying ratios to produce materials with diverse functional properties appropriate for thermal insulation in fashion products. (2) The resulting kapok-based insulation sheets demonstrate strong potential as sustainable fashion materials for millennial consumers, particularly for layered garments at the insulated or mid-layer level. Through techniques such as quilting and padding, the material can serve as an alternative to animal-based insulation materials (e.g., down and fleece) or synthetic fiber sheets. Due to its thermal insulation capability, the material can be applied to a wide range of fashion designs that correspond to consumer preferences. Therefore, kapok represents a promising natural alternative within the scope of sustainable materials and has the potential to support the development of sustainable fashion brand prototypes.