ESG 실행을 위한 패션 디자이너의 역할 및 과제 -한국과 유럽의 비교를 통한 질적연구-

The purpose of this research is to explore women’s wear designers’ roles and challenges when practicing ESG. Qualitative research was conducted through 1:1 in-depth interviews with six participants (three professional designers in Korea and three professional designers in Europe) to explore practical designers’ viewpoints on how ESG implementation differs within Korea and Europe. Semi-structured questionnaires were set up for the interviews, and the interviews were recorded with participants’ permission upon IRB approval for data collection. The analyzed data results garners through the three-level coding process are as follows. First, we identified disparities between Korea and Europe regarding fashion designers’ roles and working system. Designers in Korea participated in every levels of production, striving to create luxury brand quality within the high-street brand’s working system. Conversely, designers in Europe focus on leading an intensive sampling process for products within the pre-order working system. This approach enables designers in Europe to develop insightful products through collaborative discussions with experts in each department. Secondly, we identified differences in the external conditions, such as management and social conditions, affecting ESG implementation within Korea and Europe. These differences stem from each region’s unique historical context regarding sustainability issues. The European fashion industry can draw upon past experiences to provide more practical and comprehensive conditions for practicing ESG. Third, all participants emphasized the importance of deliberate and efficient planning, sustainable materials usage, sustainable product processing, and a shift in designers’ perceptions when practicing ESG in design. However, there were variations in how designers in Korea and Europe perceived practical roles. Fourth, we identified the different limitations in implementing ESG among designers due to varying working systems, external factors, and practical experiences between Korea and Europe. Therefore, we advocate for employing distinct regulations and systems to promote ESG in the design process, including integrated planning that considers practical designers’ viewpoints, establishes a clear vision within companies, and promotes sustainability education with national-level support in Korea. This study has significant value in exploring through qualitative research designers’ accumulated experiences and viewpoints.