Abstract

The article explores the transition to circular fashion as a more sustainable alternative to the fashion industry’s linear “take-make-dispose” approach. This shift is essential for reducing the industry’s negative societal and environmental effects, which include a large carbon footprint and worldwide garment waste. Circular fashion takes a holistic approach to designing responsible products, services, and systems throughout the fashion value chain from the early decisions. The importance of this topic lies in how design has a critical role in the decision process. However, there is a knowledge gap in the understanding of what a circular fashion model entails. The objective of this study is to identify that knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive literature review of the existing circular fashion design models. It aims to clarify the concept behind the models, the challenges in putting them into practice, and the potential it presents for the entire fashion value chain. Using a methodical technique to assess twenty selected Scopus-indexed journals, this study maps out the current models of circular fashion design, evaluating their positions in the fashion value chain. This methodology enables a comprehensive synthesis of the concepts, challenges, and opportunities of circular fashion design models. The findings reveal a bias toward materials and life cycle management as well as stakeholder engagement and consumer interaction, while gaps in the design process and innovation also systemic and strategic approaches point to important directions for further study. This study’s main finding emphasizes the transition from theoretical concepts of circularity to actionable holistic systems of design model. It highlights the practical tools for stakeholders in fostering this shift, aiming to empower the fashion value chain to implement the circular fashion design strategy effectively.