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Design+ Traditional handcrafting and sustainability

the fashion industry. Traditional techniques can offer
viable business models with long-term resilience. They
are not merely methods of production, but holistic
ecosystems of economic, cultural, and social sustainability.
A characteristic example is the Center for Traditional
Textiles of Cusco in Peru, which preserves Andean
weaving traditions while strengthening cultural identity
and supporting local economies. 76-78
4.3. Traditional handicrafts and sustainable
production
Figure 7. From disposable to sustainable: The complex relationship
between design and consumption in the textile and clothing sector. Traditional techniques are essential for preserving the
Adapted from Andorfer and Liebe. 68 cultural identity of local communities and enhancing
social cohesion. Handicrafts – such as weaving, knitting,
Products derived from traditional techniques often have embroidery, felting, and dyeing with natural pigments
greater perceived value and are preferred by consumers – form the foundation of sustainable production. They
seeking authenticity and quality.
not only preserve cultural heritage but also offer a more
Collaboration between contemporary designers and sustainable alternative to mass industrial production. The
traditional artisans has led to the revitalization of old use of local, natural materials and handmade processes
techniques. In the study by Hu et al., the importance contributes to reducing the environmental footprint while
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of co-design is emphasized, in which traditional artisans supporting local communities.
collaborate with designers to create products that integrate (i) Reduced water and energy consumption: Traditional
innovation with tradition. This approach not only dyeing techniques using natural extracts – such as
preserves traditional skills but also adapts them to meet indigo or plant-based colors – consume less water and
modern market demands. fewer chemicals than industrial methods 79
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McQuillan conducted research on zero-waste design, (ii) Reduced carbon dioxide emissions: The use of local
demonstrating how traditional techniques can contribute raw materials minimizes the need for extensive
to reducing waste and creating sustainable products. These transportation and imports, thereby lowering carbon
techniques offer alternative production methods that footprints 80
reduce the industry’s ecological footprint. (iii) Biodegradable materials without environmental
pollution: Local fabrics such as organic cotton, linen,
Traditional production techniques – such as weaving, and wool do not contain microplastics or toxic dyes,
pottery, and handmade embroidery – enable local thus preventing water pollution 81
communities to maintain control over production (iv) Sustainable use of local resources: Many communities
activities, reducing reliance on large industries or implement textile recycling techniques, such as
intermediaries. For example, women’s cooperatives in patchwork or upcycling, which extend product life
Bolivia producing handmade wool products engage cycles 82
directly with international markets, ensuring fair wages by (v) Increased local employment: Handmade production
bypassing intermediaries. 71,72 requires more skilled labor, thereby preserving and
Handicraft methods generally have lower production transmitting traditional skills 83
capacity compared to industrial fashion. However, through (vi) Self-managed economic models: Local production
cooperative models and e-commerce, they can scale enables communities to independently manage their
effectively without compromising quality or authenticity. resources, avoiding reliance on large supply chains. 84
Rather than integrating into existing fast-fashion chains, Almalki and Tawfiq present a sustainable clothing
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traditional techniques can facilitate the development design framework emphasizing the use of local wool to
of alternative, locally managed economic networks. In create women’s garments using the felting technique.
Sri Lanka, handmade embroidery (e.g., batik) entered Their study investigates the potential of using local
the market through tourism businesses, generating materials to reduce the environmental footprint and
employment and increasing local income. 73-75 enhance the local economy. They also highlight the
Communities that preserve traditional techniques tend importance of sustainability in fashion by advocating for
to have higher employment rates and greater economic natural raw materials and ethical production practices.
stability compared to those reliant on low-wage jobs in Surjit explores the potential of wool recycling and
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Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 11 doi: 10.36922/DP025190027