The use and effects of digital technologies in the sustainable fashion industry

The fashion sector ranks first among the sectors where excessive consumption occurs quite intensively and this situation is explained by the concept of fast fashion. Fast fashion causes the depletion of natural and economic resources, harms the environment with the waste problems it creates and threatens the future. The concepts of 'slow fashion' and 'sustainable fashion', which have emerged in order to improve the damages caused by fast fashion, are becoming more important as time goes on. Constantly developing technology, on the one hand, feeds the fast fashion approach, on the other hand, when used correctly, it plays an important role in the sustainability approach. The continuous development of digital technologies, the provision of innovative solutions and the integration into the fashion sector make it possible to turn into an advantage and build a more sustainable future. The thesis focuses on sustainability strategies in the fashion sector and digitalization issues in design/marketing processes, in addition, the effects and potential of digital technologies in terms of sustainability are being examined. In the introduction section, which is the first part of the thesis, the purpose and hypothesis of the study have been explained. In the second part, sustainability, fast fashion, slow fashion concepts, historical developments, circular economy model and sustainable design/production strategies have been examined. In the third part, the integration of digitalization into the fashion sector, digitalization in design / production / marketing processes and the computer programs used in these processes have been discussed. In the fourth chapter, the relationship between sustainability, fashion and digitalization has mentioned and the effects of digitalization on the sustainable fashion sector have been examined. In the fifth chapter, the research method and tools have been explained, and then a digital collection has been created within the scope of the modularity strategy using the 'PSD, AI, Optitex and CLO 3D" programs. Digital samples, digital photo shoot and digital fashion show have been prepared with zero waste. Finally, thanks to the digital samples and presentation visuals created, it has been examined to what extent savings were achieved from the possible consumption that would occur with physical processes.