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Design+ Traditional handcrafting and sustainability

the creation of a more collective economic model, known brands pursuing ethical transitions, while paying
as the “we-economy,” which is based on solidarity and limited attention to local production networks and
cooperation among communities. The we-economy their potential to contribute to sustainable value
30
arises from collaborative and decentralized production, chains
community-based creation, and learning through practical (iii) The majority of existing studies on traditional
engagement and collaboration, and it fosters social capital techniques and sustainable fashion primarily focus on
through local and global networking. 31 individual initiatives related to the circular economy,
The we-economy refers to non-sovereign economic re-economy, or isolated sustainability strategies.
relations among participants – including practices such These approaches, although valuable, do not situate
as communing and small-scale, bottom-up production traditional craftsmanship within a broader, self-
collectivities – that occur at the local level and are managed framework encompassing economic, social,
grounded in fair and ethical financial relationships among and ecological dimensions.
the inhabitants of a shared ecosystem. Several researchers Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by
have proposed business model templates that align with incorporating all qualitative characteristics of craftsmanship,
this approach, such as those illustrated in Figure 1. 32-34 not only as a production technique but also as a social
This economic model promotes the concepts of social process with ethical and ecological implications within
justice and economic empowerment for traditional local local ecosystems. Craftsmanship is not merely a production
professions (e.g., artisans and weavers), who participate method – it is a process that shapes community relationships.
in all stages of the production process – from sourcing In addition, local production should not be examined in
materials to manufacturing finished products. 35 isolation, but as part of an ecosystem that leverages local

Although this economic model has gained increasing resources with minimal environmental impact.
attention from researchers and policymakers alike, several The true challenge lies not merely in preserving
gaps still remain in the existing literature: craftsmanship but in integrating it into a self-managed,
(i) Lack of data on the long-term impact of traditional collaborative economic framework. The we-economy
techniques on sustainability: Although numerous provides a foundation for local development where:
theoretical studies on slow fashion exist, only a few (i) Traditional techniques enhance sustainability from
have examined the long-term socioeconomic and both environmental and social perspectives
environmental impacts of traditional techniques (ii) Artisans maintain control over the means of
(ii) Lack of analysis on the integration of the we-economy production, free from dependence on large chains or
into the fashion sector: Most studies focus on large commercial pressures

Figure 1. The proposed business model template 34

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