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Design+

REVIEW ARTICLE
The role of traditional handcrafting in promoting

sustainability: A literature review

Venetia Koutsou 1† , Maria Zoumaki * , Iris Lykourioti 2 , and
1†
Apostolos Korlos 3
1 Department of Creative Design and Clothing, Faculty of School of Design Sciences, International
University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
2 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Polytechnic School of the University of Thessaly, University
of Thessaly, Volos, Thessaly, Greece
3 Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of School of Engineering,
International University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece

Abstract

The fashion industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors of the
global economy, with significant social and environmental impacts. However, the
prevailing fast-fashion model leads to overconsumption and serious consequences
for both the environment and industry workers. In response to this trend, the slow
fashion movement has emerged, promoting a more conscious and sustainable
approach to clothing production and consumption. This movement involves a
† These authors contributed equally variety of practices, including traditional techniques – such as weaving, embroidery,
to this work. knitting, felting, and dyeing with natural dyes. In this study, a systematic literature
*Corresponding author: review was conducted to explore how traditional techniques are incorporated
Maria Zoumaki into contemporary fashion design and production, and whether these techniques
(mzoumaki@ihu.gr) truly support local communities. The findings reveal that traditional techniques are
Citation: Koutsou V, Zoumaki M, linked to sustainability in the fashion industry; however, they require a significant
Lykourioti I, Korlos A. The role of investment of time compared to fast-fashion cycles, resulting in higher production
traditional handcrafting in promoting
sustainability: A literature review. costs. Thus, despite their promising potential, these techniques contradict the
Design+. 2025;2(3):025190027. prevailing economic model of development followed in the fashion industry.
doi: 10.36922/DP025190027 Ultimately, this study highlights the important role of traditional techniques in
Received: October 3, 2024 promoting sustainability and advocates for integrating these practices in the fashion
industry through an alternative economic model.
Revised: April 23, 2025
Accepted: June 11, 2025
Keywords: We-economy; Anthropogeography; Clothing handcrafting; Slow fashion;
Published online: July 23, 2025 Local communities
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons
AttributionNoncommercial License, 1. Introduction
permitting all non-commercial use,
distribution, and reproduction in any The fashion industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors of the global
medium, provided the original work economy, with significant social and environmental consequences. The term “fast
is properly cited. fashion,” which has gained widespread attention in recent years, refers to the rapid
Publisher’s Note: AccScience production of large volumes of affordable clothing within short timeframes. This
Publishing remains neutral with approach leads to overconsumption and serious consequences for both the environment
regard to jurisdictional claims in 1-3
published maps and institutional and garment industry workers. Fast fashion is expanding at an exceptionally rapid pace
affiliations. globally, while simultaneously being criticized by the scientific community for its role in

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 1 doi: 10.36922/DP025190027