Work

How Digital Transformation Drives Sustainability in Fashion Retail: The “Moda 4.0” Research Project

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: This paper presents the outcomes of the Moda 4.0 research project—carried out by the Design_Kind Lab at Politecnico di Bari in collaboration with Emme Evolution S.r.l.—showing how digital transformation drives sustainability in the fashion retail sector. By developing and integrating digital systems and tools for multimedia content creation, distribution, and consumption, the study illustrates how emerging technologies inform new skill sets in product and service design while fostering novel cultural values. The research guides the partner fashion company's digital transition through a structured, multidisciplinary design approach, emphasizing sustainability across products and processes. The project delineates three digital strategies related to technologies: (I) metaverse and virtual worlds, (II) Virtual and Augmented Reality, and (III) Non-Fungible Tokens. Ultimately, the findings highlight that holistic, future-oriented digital strategies enhance creative expression and customer experiences and reinforce environmentally responsible and agile innovation in the fashion industry.

DOI: 10.21606/drsf.118

Authors: Marina Ricci, Alessandra Scarcelli, Annalisa Di Roma

Institution: Polytechnic University of Bari

Language: English

Topic: Cultural and Historical Studies

Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Funder: European Regional Development Fund

Awards: G1464101492, G1888088267