A Six-Axis Integrative Framework for Sustainable Fashion Design: Mixed-Methods Development and Empirical Validation of a Modular Reversible Linen Prototype with Natural Indigo Dyeing and Radial Composition

The fashion industry generates a major environmental impact, requiring integrated sustainable approaches. This study integrates six thematic axes—sustainability, modular design, natural materials, eco-friendly dyeing, multidimensional comfort and consumer perception, and radial composition—into an integrative framework for sustainable design. The mixed-methods methodology comprises four stages: (I) a quantitative stage (questionnaire, n = 150); (II) an experimental stage (testing of comfort characteristics of linen fabrics according to ISO standards, and indigo dyeing through three techniques: uniform, tie-dye, and shibori); (III) a digital design stage in CLO3D and physical fabrication of the prototype; (IV) a prototype testing and validation stage (panel, n = 20). The prototype provides functional adaptability through 8 design configurations, versatility through reversibility, and aesthetic diversity through the radial composition, yielding 16 distinct wearing modes within a single product. Panel evaluation confirms high prototype acceptance ( M = 4.81–4.95), and physical interaction with the prototype significantly increases purchase intention compared with conceptual evaluation ( M pre = 3.54; M post = 4.60; d = 2.04; p < 0.001). The contribution validates a framework that integrates six dimensions of sustainable fashion into a coherent clothing design model, demonstrating design’s role as a practical instrument in the sustainability transition, with applied implications for designers and researchers.