<![CDATA[The increasing amount of textile waste, particularly denim waste, has become an environmental issue that requires sustainable design solutions. Denim is characterized by its durability and strength, making it a potential material for reuse and value-added product development. This study aims to design a pair of boots made from denim waste by applying the iron stamping bleaching technique as a material exploration method to create distinctive visual characteristics. The research employed the Design Thinking approach, consisting of the stages of empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. The empathize stage involved identifying the potential of denim waste generated by small-scale industries, while the define and ideate stages focused on exploring several textile manipulation techniques, including acid wash, patchwork, and slashing, which eventually led to the development of a new technique called iron stamping bleaching. Furthermore, this technique was combined with the slashing technique to produce more diverse textures and visual patterns on the denim surface. The explored materials were then applied to the design and prototyping of boots and evaluated through questionnaires and interviews with potential users and design practitioners. The results indicate that the iron stamping bleaching technique creates unique visual characteristics with a relatively short production process, while its combination with the slashing technique enhances the aesthetic value and visual identity of the material. The validation results also reveal positive responses toward the concept of utilizing denim waste as footwear material, particularly in terms of design, comfort, and sustainability. The novelty of this study lies in the integration of the iron stamping bleaching and slashing techniques for denim waste exploration in boot design based on the upcycling concept. Overall, this research successfully produced a boot design that integrates functionality, aesthetics, and sustainable design principles while offering an alternative approach to material exploration for environmentally conscious fashion products.]]>
