Zero-waste fashion education in higher education: a cross-national systematic review of South Korean and international approaches

Abstract

This study systematically reviews fourteen university-level case studies (2014–2024) to examine the educational practices of zero-waste fashion (ZWF) education in South Korea and international contexts. Using a structured coding framework, the review identifies clear differences shaped by country-specific industrial contexts. South Korean programmes reflect technical efficiency, focusing on pre-consumer precision and digital prototyping, whereas international programmes adopt a lifecycle perspective integrating use-phase behaviour and post-consumer recovery. The findings reveal a gap in evaluation approaches: South Korean courses focus on product-centred assessments of technical accuracy, whereas international studies focus more on surveys, attitudinal measures, and reflective tools to capture behavioural shifts. To resolve these regional imbalances, the study proposes an Integrated ZWF Pedagogical Model synthesising technical rigour with systemic agency. This research provides a conceptual foundation for higher education institutions to transition towards fostering ‘Transformative Sustainability Agency' – equipping future designers to lead the transition towards a circular fashion industry.