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Design+ Traditional handcrafting and sustainability

formation of small cooperative networks that support of these thematic categories from the literature, with an
the production of high-quality products on a limited emphasis on mapping sustainable practices across all stages
scale. Table 1 outlines the traditional techniques of production – from raw materials to final products.
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used in slow fashion, their associated values, and key The analysis highlights the connections between
prerequisites. It highlights methods such as weaving, traditional handicraft techniques and sustainable
embroidery, and natural dyeing, and emphasizes development. These techniques are associated with
principles such as quality, sustainability, cultural practices such as the use of local and natural raw
preservation, and local production. Approximately materials, waste reduction, and the reinforcement of local
22.73% of the selected studies pertain to themes communities, while also challenging the traditional mass-
related to “the we-economy and community-based production model in the garment industry.
solutions,” reflecting a cautious yet meaningful shift in
the literature toward alternative production models. The mapping of sustainable practices was organized
according to the stages of the value chain, including
Approximately 21.21% of the reviewed studies engage raw materials, production, profit distribution, and
with more than one thematic area, highlighting the consumption. The analysis also considered the need to
interdisciplinary nature and conceptual interconnectedness align organizational and operational aspects to support the
evident in the relevant literature. In contrast, 19.7% of development of new business models that can effectively
the selected articles do not align directly with any of the address sustainability challenges. 48
aforementioned categories, either due to a primary focus
on technical or historical aspects, or a different theoretical To reduce the likelihood of bias in the analysis, the
perspective, such as a broader orientation toward initial mapping results were revisited and adjusted, taking
sustainability. These distributions and thematic values are into account new parameters and data from diverse
presented in Table 2 and illustrated in Figure 3. literature sources. This allowed for a more comprehensive
and balanced approach, adapting the analytical methods to
3.5. Content analysis the specific needs of the research.
In this study, content analysis focuses on identifying The quantitative classification of all case studies and
and categorizing thematic units related to traditional academic references reveals distinct patterns regarding the
techniques and sustainable practices within the fashion types of traditional techniques most commonly highlighted
industry. The systematic approach enabled the extraction in discussions of sustainable fashion. “Weaving” emerges
as the most frequently cited technique (approximately
Table 1. Traditional techniques in slow fashion: Values and 18.18%), reflecting its cultural depth, scalability, and
prerequisites ongoing relevance in both indigenous communities and
Traditional Values Prerequisites contemporary sustainable design frameworks.
techniques in “Dyeing with natural colors” also holds a prominent
slow fashion place in the literature – appearing in approximately 13.72%
Weaving, Product quality, The use of natural, of the reviewed articles – and is frequently associated with
embroidery, enhanced emotional recyclable, or locally sourced
dyeing with durability, materials; the practice of reduced environmental impact and the preservation of
natural colors, preservation of handicraft production; the ancestral knowledge, particularly within South Asian and
handmade cultural heritage, incorporation of traditional Andean contexts. “Handmade garment construction” and
garment the support of local techniques; engagement “embroidery” follow closely, underscoring their dual roles
construction, economies, and with local communities or in cultural expression and value-added craftsmanship
knitting, and the promotion of production networks; and the
felting. product longevity. implementation of upcycling within slow fashion models.
methods. While “knitting” and “felting” are less frequently
discussed, they represent specialized practices often linked to
Table 2. Bibliography trend categorization elder artisans, local wool economies, and advanced material
Trend Percentage experimentation. In addition, approximately 19.15%
Collectivity and locality 18.18 of the selected studies engage with multiple techniques
simultaneously, reflecting the hybrid and interdisciplinary
Togetherness and the care economy 18.18 nature of many sustainable fashion projects.
Community-powered solutions and we-economy 22.73 Finally, a notable portion of the literature (approximately
Multiple trends 21.21 13.56%) does not explicitly focus on specific craft methods
No thematic match 19.7 but instead examines broader supply chain models, design

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 7 doi: 10.36922/DP025190027