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Design+ Traditional handcrafting and sustainability

Social sustainability in fashion remains a significant
challenge, as companies must balance sustainable
development with the well-being of workers and
communities affected by their activities. Efforts to align
best practices and social performance continue, aiming
to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals by 2030 and to limit global warming to below 1.5°C,
as stipulated in the Paris Agreement. 112,113
The systematic categorization of both practical case
studies and academic sources reveals significant trends
regarding the demographic focus of studies related to
sustainability and traditional handcrafting. The group with
the highest representation in the reviewed literature is
Figure 16. Bashir Salehi, a refugee from Afghanistan, started Palme women (approximately 31%), reflecting the long-standing
Couture in January 2021 in La Rochelle, France, to provide tailoring connection between women’s labor and production,
services. Copyright © [2025], UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau, the UN
Refugee Agency, Content Production Section. empowerment through collective initiatives (e.g., SEWA),
and the preservation of cultural heritage.
communities in Greece (Figure 16). 109,110 These studies Minorities and local communities account for
investigate how design processes, within the broader approximately 12%, primarily through examples such as
context of social innovation, can create opportunities for the Nöl Collective, Andean artisans, and the incorporation
marginalized groups – such as refugees – to integrate into of the Nhat Binh robe into fashion products for young
local economies and societies. The research highlights the consumers, as well as initiatives grounded in the solidarity
potential of fashion as a platform for empowerment, cultural economy. 114-116 Elders and youth are represented to a
expression, and skills development by engaging refugees in lesser extent (1% – 3%), indicating that the discussion
creative and collaborative design practices, which can lead to around sustainable production often remains partially
economic inclusion and social cohesion. Similar initiatives disconnected from the generational dimensions of
have emerged across Europe. For example, in Germany, a knowledge – whether in terms of traditional transmission
project supported by the United Nations High Commissioner or youth-driven innovation, such as Nhat Binh robe’s
for Refugees brings together refugee seamstresses from Syria revival among younger consumers.
and Afghanistan, helping them rebuild their lives and regain Previous research provides a comprehensive overview
a sense of agency through a shared tailoring workshop. 111 of how youth contribute to sustainability in the fashion

According to the United Nations’ Fashion Industry industry and highlights young consumers’ awareness,
Charter for Climate Action, renewed in 2021, the industry values, and behaviors related to sustainable fashion,
commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and while also identifying gaps in generational engagement
publicly reporting its progress through scientifically (Figures 17 and 18). 117,118 Another example of ethical
substantiated targets (e.g., science-based targets). This frameworks within sustainable fashion is the 3C Rule
initiative emphasizes corporate accountability and the (Consent, Credit, Compensation ©2017) implemented
publication of emission reduction plans, incorporating by the Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative® in
social responsibility as a key element of companies’ a project developed in partnership with the Traditional
commitments. 112 Arts and Ethnology Centre in Laos and the Oma people of
Nanam Village. This initiative emphasizes the importance
Moreover, a report by the Global Fashion Agenda, of community-led free, prior, and informed consent, proper
presented at the 28 Conference of the Parties in 2023, attribution, compensation, and control over how traditional
th
highlights the need for a positive impact in the fashion designs are used and represented (Figure 19). 119,120
sector by fostering safe and decent working conditions and
promoting fairer wage systems. This report underscores Finally, approximately 50% of the reviewed articles
social sustainability priorities, such as ensuring respect follow neutral or systems-oriented approaches, focusing
and safety in workplaces, improving wage structures, and on sustainability at the level of supply chains, consumer
adopting more sustainable material choices by collaborating behavior, technological innovations, or policy strategies,
with organizations like the Fair Labor Association and the without targeting specific social groups.
Social and Labor Convergence Program. 113 These findings highlight the need for a more balanced

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 17 doi: 10.36922/DP025190027