Upcycling: A conceptual process model and perspectives of undergraduate students pursuing fashion design in a Kenyan university

The global fashion industry generates substantial quantities of textile waste. Much of the Global North’s discarded clothing is exported to African countries, including Kenya, where it is often disposed of in landfills, water bodies, or incinerators, worsening pollution and climate change. Upcycling offers a sustainable solution, transforming this waste into higher-value products. Fashion Design and Textile Technology students at Kirinyaga University struggle to afford project materials, and many are unfamiliar with upcycling’s environmental, social, economic, and cultural benefits; upcycled products are often perceived as unattractive, low-quality, or cheap. This study examined students’ perspectives on upcycling’s processes, products, perceptions, and practices. Method: This case study of 26 students purposively selected 12 project portfolios containing upcycled products, analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Creativity, skills, innovation, and planning produced durable, functional, and aesthetic upcycled apparel and fashion accessories, inspired by costumes, fashion movements, nature, African culture and prints, and refashioning. Denim, the most-used material, reflects its availability as consumers’ wardrobe staple; satin, kitenge, and felt produced elegant and sustainable products. Upcycling proved cost-effective and time-intensive, and students expressed both positive and negative views. Conclusion: Upcycling provides a creative and affordable approach to reducing textile solid waste and promoting sustainable fashion in Kenyan university, Kirinyaga University. It requires time, creativity, skill, and knowledge, and should be integrated into design studio courses. Further study could enhance understanding of consumers’ attitudes toward upcycled fashion products and soft furnishings. The study proposes an eight-phase upcycling framework that contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action).