Patent Trend Analysis of Firefighting Protective Clothing Technologies in Korea, the United States, and Europe
한국, 유럽, 미국 소방복 기술의 특허 동향 분석
차수정 Sujoung Cha
30(2) 1-17, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.1
차수정 Sujoung Cha
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.1
Abstract
This study collected and analyzed firefighter protective clothing patents from Korea, the United States, and Europe using KIPRIS to identify technology development directions for wildfire and large-scale fire environments intensified by climate change. A total of 959 patents were examined in terms of filing-period distribution, applicant characteristics, IPC classifications, and technical contents. Filing activity in Korea increased markedly after 20112015, while European filings peaked during 20162020. In contrast, the United States showed a relatively higher share of filings before 2000, indicating earlier technological accumulation. Companies were the dominant applicants across all regions, although the U.S. dataset contained a comparatively higher proportion of individual inventors. At the IPC section level, Textiles and Paper (D) represented the largest share overall (37.5%). Korea showed a strong concentration in D (51.3%), whereas the United States was centered on Human Necessities (A; 36.2%), reflecting garment and system-oriented inventions. Europe demonstrated a balanced distribution between D (34.6%) and A (32.2%), with a relatively stronger emphasis on Chemistry/ Metallurgy (C). Major IPC subclasses included A41D (protective garments), B32B (layered/laminated products), A62B (respiratory and life-protection), and fiber, yarn, and fabric technologies (D01D/D01F, D02G, D03D). Technical contents were classified into five categories. Korea mainly emphasized material and textile-based technologies, whereas the United States and Europe focused more on garment structures, wearing systems, and safety functions. Europe also showed relatively stronger development in composite and laminated structures. The findings highlight the importance of advancing high-performance materials, ergonomic wearing systems, multilayer composites, smart safety technologies, and standardized performance evaluation systems.
Key Words
IPC classification, firefighting protective clothing, patent landscape, patent trend, personal protective equipment, IPC 분류, 소방복, 특허 지형도, 특허 동향, 개인 보호 장비
|
A Case Study on the Use of Generative Image AI in the Fashion Industry
패션산업에서 이미지 생성형 AI 활용 사례 연구
유진희 Jinhee Yu , 한기향 Kihyang Han
30(2) 18-36, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.18
유진희 Jinhee Yu , 한기향 Kihyang Han
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.18
Abstract
This study analyzes how generative image AI transforms the creative structure and practical processes of the fashion industry while exploring its potential for creative and industrial expansion. It focuses on three domains: fashion design, brand communication, and virtual collaboration in digital spaces. The study collected and analyzed both domestic and international cases where generative image AI was applied, including official brand campaigns, collaborative projects, and digital platform initiatives. Notable cases examined include AI Fashion Week, G-Star RAW AI Denim Couture, Moncler × Lulu Li, Etro 'Nowhere,' Vogue Italia, Glamour Bulgaria, Undiz, Nike A.I.R., Vogue Singapore × Spatial.io, and Ground Zero Trilogy. The findings reveal that generative image AI significantly expands designers' formal experimentation and accelerates visual exploration in fashion design, while enhancing efficiency and expressive diversity in brand communication. Additionally, metaverse-based and virtual gallery collaboration models are reconfiguring spatial and exhibition practices by creating new digital ecosystems that connect creators, audiences, and brands. However, across all cases, human judgment remains essential for final aesthetic decisions, brand identity management, and ensuring practical feasibility. These findings suggest that generative image AI functions not as an independent creator but as a collaborative partner that expands the creative range of human designers. This study serves as a foundational reference for future research and educational practices in the field of fashion and AI.
Key Words
generative AI, fashion design, brand communication, digital fashion, human-AI collaboration, 생성형 인공지능, 패션디자인, 브랜드 커뮤니케이션, 디지털 패션, 인간-인공지능 협업
|
Analysis of High School Boy’s Uniform Pants Wearing Status and Satisfaction for High-functional Uniform Development
고기능성 교복 개발을 위한 고등학교 남학생의 교복 바지 착용 실태 및 만족도 분석
강하은 Haeun Kang , 차수정 Sujoung Cha
30(2) 37-51, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.37
강하은 Haeun Kang , 차수정 Sujoung Cha
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.37
Abstract
This study aimed to gather essential data for developing high-function school uniform pants by analyzing purchasing behaviors, satisfaction levels, movement-related discomfort, fabric performance and durability, and alteration needs among 155 high school boys in the Jeonnam region. The analysis involved frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and ANOVA. Students primarily focused on waist circumference, with 67.7% opting to purchase pants one size larger than their actual measurements. While they expressed relatively high satisfaction regarding psychological stability and a neat appearance, their satisfaction with mobility and functionality was low. Many students reported feeling tightness in the buttocks and thighs when climbing stairs or squatting, indicating a lack of adequate movement-related fit. Durability issues were most frequently observed at the buttocks (27.1%) and knees (25.8%), with a strong demand for improvements in stretchability, absorbency, and breathability. Alteration practices revealed a tendency to take in the waist while letting out the hip area and pant width, suggesting that current grading systems may not effectively accommodate adolescents' growth-related changes. In conclusion, high-function school uniform pants should feature ergonomic 3D pattern designs to enhance range of motion, utilize 4-way stretch and breathable fabrics, offer a wider range of sizes, and reinforce durability in high-friction areas such as the crotch and buttocks.
Key Words
fit, high school boy, school uniforms, wearing practices, wearing satisfaction, 맞음새, 고등학교 남학생, 교복, 착용실태, 착용만족도
|
Millennial and Gen Z Executives and the Market Valuation of Product Diversification in Fashion Firms: Evidence from South Korea (20112023)
패션기업의 제품다각화에 대한 시장가치 평가: 최고경영진 내 MZ세대 대표성의 조절효과(20112023년 한국 상장기업)
김지은 Jieun Kim
30(2) 52-66, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.52
김지은 Jieun Kim
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.52
Abstract
Product portfolio expansion is common among fashion firms, but while it creates growth opportunities, it also increases the risks of brand dilution and organizational complexity. This study integrates upper echelons theory with fashion branding research on brand-extension coherence to explore whether capital markets value product diversification and how representation of millennials and Gen Z (MZ) in the top management team (TMT) influences this valuation. Analyzing an unbalanced panel of Korean publicly listed fashion firms (KOSPI/KOSDAQ) from 2011 to 2023, we examine 475 firm-year observations. Product diversification is measured as 1 minus the Herfindahl Hirschman Index based on segment sales. MZ TMT representation is defined by the log count, proportion, and presence of executives born in 1980 or later. Firm value is assessed using Tobin's Q, with robustness checks through the market-to-book ratio and models that include industry and year fixed effects. The results reveal no average valuation premium for diversification in Tobin's Q and a diversification discount in market-to-book valuation. However, the interaction between diversification and MZ representation is consistently positive and significant, indicating that diversification is valued more favorably when MZ executives are present. These findings suggest that diversification in fashion firms is a strategy dependent on capability, with market valuation influenced by leadership composition and the alignment between portfolio complexity and managerial capability.
Key Words
fashion firms, product diversification, firm value, top management team, millennial and Gen Z leadership, 패션기업, 제품다각화, 기업가치, 최고경영진, 밀레니얼·Z세대 리더십
|
A Study on Core Clothing Design Attributes for Addressing Clothing-Related Problems of People with Intellectual Disabilities
지적장애인의 의생활 문제 해결을 위한 핵심 의상 디자인 특성
장경윤 Jingrui Zhang , 서승희 Seunghee Suh
30(2) 67-86, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.67
장경윤 Jingrui Zhang , 서승희 Seunghee Suh
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.67
Abstract
This study systematically identifies clothing challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities and establishes core design attributes for adaptive clothing. Despite the significant dressing difficulties encountered by this population―stemming from their complex cognitive, sensory, and motor characteristics―the existing adaptive clothing market has largely concentrated on physical disabilities, neglecting their multifaceted needs. To address this gap, a multi-method qualitative approach was employed, which included non-participant observation at three university hospital rehabilitation departments over 12 days, semi-structured interviews with 10 caregivers from Korea and China, and a focus group session with six fashion-related graduate students. The findings revealed six categories of clothing challenges: problems with fastening systems, size specifications, cognitive support design elements, material-related issues, structural details, and care and maintenance. From these insights, six core design attributes were derived through expert reinterpretation: ease of operation, structural suitability, cognitive intuitiveness, material comfort, low irritation, and ease of care. These attributes serve as essential design criteria that should be integrated into the development of adaptive clothing for this population. This study contributes to the academic discourse on adaptive clothing for individuals with intellectual disabilities and offers a foundational framework for future research and product development in this area.
Key Words
intellectual disabilities, clothing problems, adaptive clothing, core design attributes 지적장애, 의복 문제점, 어댑티브 의복, 핵심 디자인 특성
|
A Study on Generative AI-Based Fashion Design Education Model: Focusing on the Fashion Design Process and Ethical Framework
생성형 인공지능 기반 패션디자인 교육 모델 연구: 패션디자인 프로세스와 윤리 프레임워크를 중심으로
이연규 Yonkyu Lee
30(2) 87-104, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.87
이연규 Yonkyu Lee
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.87
Abstract
Recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (Generative AI) have transformed design practice and education. In fashion design, image-based generative AI tools function as collaborative creative tools that support rapid visual exploration and concept development, particularly during ideation and visualization stages. These technologies also enable experimentation with fashion-specific elements such as silhouettes, textures, draping, patterns, and colorways. This study examines the impact of generative AI on the fashion design process and proposes an ethics-based educational framework for fashion design. A systematic literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, RISS, and KISS, focusing on studies related to generative AI in creative and design education. The analysis explored practical applications across the fashion design process and ethical concerns including copyright infringement, design imitation, data bias, and overreliance on AI-generated outcomes. The findings indicate that generative AI significantly enhances ideation and visualization by broadening design exploration and accelerating the production of diverse visual alternatives. However, its use also raises ethical issues related to authorship, representation bias, and creative dependency. The study emphasizes that generative AI should not replace human designers, but function as a collaborative tool requiring human interpretation and creative reconstruction. In response, this study proposes an ethical educational framework structured around three dimensions: technical literacy, creative ethics, and critical reflection. The framework provides guidelines for understanding AI technologies, applying them responsibly, and critically evaluating AI-generated outcomes in fashion design education. It also highlights process-centered approaches, including prompt documentation and reflective portfolios, to encourage transparent and ethical AI use.
Key Words
generative artificial intelligence, fashion design, design education, design process, AI Ethics, 생성형 인공지능, 패션디자인, 디자인 교육, 디자인 프로세스, AI 윤리
|
A Study on Biodegradable Fashion Design from the Perspective of Critical Fashion Design
크리티컬 패션 관점에서 본 생분해성 패션 디자인 연구
구현정 Hyunjeong Koo , 김진영 Jinyoung Kim
30(2) 105-118, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.105
구현정 Hyunjeong Koo , 김진영 Jinyoung Kim
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.105
Abstract
This study explores biodegradable fashion design through the lens of critical fashion design, emphasizing its importance beyond the traditional view of it as merely a technical or eco-friendly option. While biodegradable fashion has been extensively analyzed regarding material functionality, its philosophical implications especially its challenge to prevailing values such as durability, ownership and commercialism - have not been adequately addressed in scholarly discourse. The study argues that biodegradable fashion design, by prioritizing intentional ephemerality and ecological circulation as fundamental design principles, serves as a practical form of critical fashion that questions existing systems of production, consumption, and disposal. A theoretical framework is developed through a literature review, followed by case studies of nine biodegradable fashion design projects from 2016 to 2025. The analysis is organized around three main areas of critique in critical fashion discourse: the fashion industry system, fashion consumer culture, and materiality and experience. Biodegradable fashion design is categorized into three types: technology-based circular practices, ethically driven concepts, and sensory-experiential redefinitions. From these categories, four theoretical implications emerge: embracing material ephemerality as an ethical value, repositioning fashion as a medium for socio-ecological reflection, reframing consumption toward sensory experience and transformation, and promoting a non-anthropocentric ecological ethic. In conclusion, biodegradable fashion design represents a form of critical fashion that offers new ethical and philosophical directions for contemporary fashion design.
Key Words
critical fashion, biodegradable fashion, fashion ethics, sustainability, ephemerality in fashion, 크리티컬 패션, 생분해성 패션, 패션윤리, 지속가능성, 패션의 소멸성
|
The Effects ofWorkwear Attribute Evaluation onWearing Satisfaction andWork Efficiency among ShipbuildingWorkers: Focusing on Design Preferences byWork Environment Types
조선업 종사자의 작업복 속성평가에 따른 착용 만족도와 업무효율: 작업자의 작업환경 유형에 따른 선호 디자인을 중심으로
이재경 Jaekyong Lee , 최윤정 Yun Jung Choi
30(2) 119-132, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.119
이재경 Jaekyong Lee , 최윤정 Yun Jung Choi
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.119
Abstract
This study investigated the relationships among work environment types, workwear design preferences, wearing satisfaction, and work efficiency among shipbuilding workers. In industrial settings such as shipbuilding, workers are exposed to physical hazards including noise, dust, vibration, poor lighting, and environmental risks. Under such conditions, workwear functions not only as protective clothing but also as an important tool supporting safety, comfort, job performance, and worker well-being. Despite its importance, limited research has examined how different work environments influence workers’ perceptions of workwear and outcomes. A survey was conducted with 143 shipbuilding workers, and cluster analysis classified participants according to environmental characteristics. Four clusters were identified: (1) noise and dust exposure group, (2) multiple risk exposure group, (3) air-conditioning and lighting centered group, and (4) poor-lighting physical environment group. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined differences among clusters in workwear design evaluation, wearing satisfaction, and work efficiency. The results revealed significant differences across clusters. The multiple risk exposure group showed the highest evaluations for both aesthetic factors (style, color, graphics, and trend reflection) and functional factors (durability, ease of management, usability, and functionality), and also reported the highest work efficiency. The poor-lighting group showed the highest wearing satisfaction, indicating the practical value of supportive workwear in visually constrained environments. In contrast, the air-conditioning and lighting centered group reported the lowest scores in most variables. These findings suggest the importance of customized workwear strategies based on environmental conditions rather than standardized uniform systems to improve productivity, safety, satisfaction, and organizational performance in industrial workplaces.
Key Words
workwear, shipbuilding workers, design factors, work environment, worker typology, 작업복, 조선업 종사자, 디자인 요인, 작업환경, 작업자 유형화
|
Research on Positive Luxury Fashion Brands for Sustainability: Focusing on Evaluation Items
지속가능을 위한 포지티브 럭셔리 패션브랜드의 연구: 평가 항목을 중심으로
이수진 Soojin Lee
30(2) 133-154, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.133
이수진 Soojin Lee
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.133
Abstract
This study aims to propose action plans for fashion brands based on the implementation objectives of the Positive Luxury evaluation criteria. The research methods include literature reviews, case studies of positive luxury-related books and academic papers, and analysis of internet resources related to positive luxury. The study focuses on 16 global womenswear fashion brands that received Butterfly certification between 2018 and 2025. The findings are as follows: Regarding environmental factors, evaluation criteria such as circularity, action plans, and packaging should emphasize circulation; animal welfare, pesticide use, supply chain management, standards, and certification should focus on certification; and issues like marine and land conservation, waste and pollution reduction, water management, hazardous substances, climate action, and energy efficiency should address resource conservation. In terms of social factors, practical plans should prioritize human welfare, fair wages, human rights, and safety and well-being. Additionally, diversity, inclusion, equality, company culture, and community investment should be integrated into community and cultural considerations. For governance structures, action plans should emphasize purpose, transparency, traceability, optimal execution, adherence to standards and certifications, and systematization. Furthermore, innovative practices should be pursued through action plans aimed at sustainable improvement. These findings can help establish strategic guidelines for developing a sustainable fashion industry by integrating environmental sustainability, social responsibility, transparent governance, and sustainable innovation.
Key Words
sustainability, positive luxury, sustainable Design, fashion Brand, butterfly certification, 지속가능성, 포지티브 럭셔리, 지속가능한 디자인, 패션 브랜드, 버터 플라이 인증
|
The Convergence of PetTech and Pet Humanization in the Pet Economy Era: Sustainable Design Strategies for Pet Products and Fashion
펫코노미 시대의 펫테크와 펫휴머나이제이션 융합: 반려동물 제품 및 패션디자인의 지속가능 전략
이규진 Kyujin Lee
30(2) 155-172, 2026
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.155
이규진 Kyujin Lee
DOI:10.12940/jfb.2026.30.2.155
Abstract
This study explores the impact of pet humanization and pet technology on the design of pet products and fashion, while also investigating sustainable design strategies that integrate emotional, technological, and environmental values. As the modern pet industry evolves into a lifestyle-focused and technology-driven market, pet products―including apparel, accessories, wearables, and smart devices―have transitioned from mere functional items to offerings that emphasize emotional experiences, user-centered value, and sustainability. Adopting a multi-layered research approach, this study combines literature reviews, case analyses, survey reviews, and expert opinions. The literature review establishes an integrated analytical framework that incorporates discussions on pet humanization, pet technology, sustainability, and design theories. Using this framework, case analyses were performed on domestic and global pet brands and technology-integrated products, focusing on five key dimensions: aesthetics, functionality, user-centeredness, sustainability, and technological integration. The findings reveal that pet humanization enhances emotional attachment, identity expression, and user-centered experiences, which in turn elevates the significance of aesthetics and emotional satisfaction in pet design. Conversely, pet technology enhances functionality, convenience, and technology-driven interactions through smart wearables, IoT systems, and data-oriented services. Additionally, the analysis indicates that contemporary pet product and fashion design is moving away from isolated aesthetic or functional strategies toward integrated approaches that combine emotional value, technological functionality, user experience, and environmental responsibility. This study contributes by proposing a comprehensive perspective on pet product and fashion design as a multi-dimensional system that merges emotion, technology, user experience, and sustainability.
Key Words
pet humanization, pet technology, pet product design, sustainable design, user-centered design, 펫휴머나이제이션, 펫테크, 반려동물 제품 디자인, 지속가능 디자인, 사용자 중심 디자인
|
