Call for Papers - Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence, Circularity, and Regenerative Innovation in Sustainable Fashion Business

The Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business invites submissions for a special issue focused on exploring the next frontier of sustainable fashion - where digital transformation, circular business models, and regenerative innovation converge to reshape the global industry. This special issue is also dedicated to advancing scholarly and practical understanding of the transformative elements that continuously shape sustainable fashion today. The special issue will explore how digital technologies, circular business models, and regenerative innovation intersect to redefine fashion as both a cultural and commercial entity.

Aim of the Special Issue

This special issue seeks to advance interdisciplinary scholarship and industry practice by highlighting emerging strategies, technologies, and socio-economic impacts that define the future of sustainable fashion. Today, the global fashion industry is undergoing unprecedented disruption (Patrício et al., 2025). Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital twins are revolutionising design and supply chain transparency across various countries in the Global North and the Global South (Polimetla et al., 2025; Vazquez Melendez et al., 2024). Simultaneously, circularity and regenerative practices, including rental, resale, repair, and bio-based textiles are emerging as viable pathways to reduce waste and environmental impact (Hassan et al., 2026). These shifts are reinforced by new regulatory frameworks (for instance, EU textile waste directives, carbon disclosure mandates) and changing consumer behaviour, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who demand authenticity, personalisation, and ethical accountability (Leal Filho et al., 2025; Theocharis & Tsekouropoulos, 2025).

This special issue seeks to bridge academic inquiry with industry practice by offering evidence-based insights and conceptual innovations that can guide fashion businesses toward sustainable futures. To further strengthen the applied relevance of this special issue, the curated articles will offer actionable insights to support evidence‑based decision‑making for businesses, regulators, and innovators. For fashion enterprises, the contributions will provide guidance on integrating AI‑enabled tools, circular strategies, and regenerative models into operational and strategic planning. For policymakers and regulatory bodies, the papers will demonstrate how emerging sustainability frameworks, transparency requirements, and global reporting standards can be effectively designed and implemented across diverse markets. Finally, for innovators and technology developers, the special issue will highlight new opportunities at the intersection of digital transformation and ecological stewardship, enabling the development of solutions that align commercial competitiveness with long‑term sustainability goals in the fashion business sector.

We invite contributions that critically examine how fashion businesses can balance economic benefits, innovation, and ecological responsibility in an era of heightened consumer activism and regulatory change. This special issue welcomes a wide range of methodological approaches that reflect the interdisciplinary outlook of sustainable fashion research. We encourage submissions that employ qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‑methods designs. Conceptual and theoretical papers that advance new frameworks or synthesise emerging perspectives are equally welcome.

Lead Guest Editor

Dr. Rumbidzayi Masina

University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

Guest Editor

Prof. Yaw Owusu-Agyeman

University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Mr. Daniel Hammond

University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Topics of Interest

The contributions from researchers describing their original, unpublished research contribution on the following theme (but not limited to):

AI & Digital Transformation

  • Generative design, predictive analytics, and personalisation in sustainable fashion.
  • Blockchain and digital twins for supply chain transparency.

Circular & Regenerative Business Models

  • Rental, resale, repair, and closed-loop systems.
  • Integration of regenerative agriculture and bio-based textiles.

Consumer Behavior & Branding

  • Shifts in Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumption patterns.
  • Ethical branding and the rise of “slow fashion” communities.

Policy & Governance

  • Impact of EU textile waste directives, carbon disclosure mandates, and global sustainability regulations.
  • Corporate accountability frameworks and their influence on brand equity.

Socio-economic Dimensions

  • Labour equity, community resilience, and inclusive innovation in sustainable fashion.
  • Cross-cultural perspectives on sustainability adoption.

Manuscript Submission Information

Submission deadline: May 15, 2027

Submissions that pass pre-check will be reviewed by at least two reviewers of the specific field.

If you have any queries regarding this special issue or other matters, please feel free to contact the editorial office - jsustfashbus@itfpgh.com

 

References

Hassan, R., Acerbi, F., Rosa, P., & Terzi, S. (2026). Circular Economy Principles and Practices in Sustainable Fashion Materials Production. In: Fei, B., George, S.C., Tawiah, B. (eds) Sustainable Fashion Materials: Innovations and the Future of Fashion (pp. 315-358). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.

Leal Filho, W., Wall, T., Williams, K., Dinis, M. A. P., Martin, R. M. F., Mazhar, M., & Gatto, A. (2025). European sustainability reporting standards: An assessment of requirements and preparedness of EU companies. Journal of environmental management, 380, 125008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125008

Patrício, L. D., Ferreira, J. J., & Gerschewski, S. (2025). A Network of Networks: Building Resilience in the Globalised Era. Global Networks, 25(3), e70014. https://doi.org/10.1111/glob.70014

Polimetla, J. S., Sindhwani, R., & Bag, S. (2025). A systematic literature review on digital twins in circular supply chain management. Business Strategy and the Environment, 34(7), 8870-8898. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70038

Theocharis, D., & Tsekouropoulos, G. (2025). Sustainable Consumption and Branding for Gen Z: How Brand Dimensions Influence Consumer Behavior and Adoption of Newly Launched Technological Products. Sustainability, 17(9), 4124. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094124

Vazquez Melendez, E. I., Bergey, P., & Smith, B. (2024). Blockchain technology for supply chain provenance: increasing supply chain efficiency and consumer trust. Supply chain management: An international journal, 29(4), 706-730. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-08-2023-0383