Tensions and duality in developing a circular fashion economy in Kenya

Lauren England; Eka Ikpe; Roberta Comunian

doi:10.1093/cjres/rsae025

Tensions and duality in developing a circular fashion economy in Kenya

Lauren England^*, Eka Ikpe, Roberta Comunian

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper critically considers the circular economy in the Kenyan fashion industry context, addressing structural and geographical hierarchies and inequalities in the conceptualisation of the circular economy and its associated practices in fashion. From the perspective of fashion designers, it highlights specific geopolitical and geo-economic tensions between local cultural foundations of ‘circular’ fashion and the impact of global market forces. Focusing on dynamics relating to second-hand clothing imports and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) for garment manufacturing, we present findings from qualitative research with Kenyan fashion designers (2019–2023) demonstrating how they both inhibit circular economy development in fashion and provide opportunities for innovations through creative adaptation practices.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	577-590
Number of pages	14
Journal	Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society
Volume	rsae025
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsae025
Publication status	Published - 26 Jul 2024

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Tensions and duality in developing a circular fashion economy in Kenya

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