SIGNATURE WORK
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2023

Due to environmental issues, health risks, and injustices caused by the current fashion industry, slow fashion is presented as a means of achieving fashion sustainability by motivating consumers to purchase high-quality products with a lower shopping frequency, and by inspiring manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable production processes. Although this concept is widely known in western academia and fashion markets, slow fashion in the Chinese fashion market is still in its infancy. In order to investigate the social causes behind the lack of development, this study makes use of semi-structured interviews and anonymous online surveys to elicit the perceptions of manufacturers, experts, and consumers concerning the slow fashion industry and the obstacles it faces. After analyzing the results, the study develops the definition of slow fashion, examines the common challenges of slow fashion development from these three stakeholders’ perspectives, and proposes suggestions for promoting slow fashion in China. This research not only has referential values for further fashion-related research in China and other developing countries but also brings various stakeholders’ voices into the Chinese government policymaking process.