Today, the fashion industry is overwhelmingly dominated by mass production. However, traditional weaving and dyeing techniques are making a comeback, albeit still within a niche market. Heritage is important—not only because it preserves the story and history of our industry, but also because it can inspire new generations of designers and brands.
Traditional weaving methods, such as handloom weaving, continue to thrive in many countries. If you search #loomlove or #floorloom on Instagram, you’ll find artisans keeping these techniques alive in places like China, India, Africa, Scotland, and Canada. These crafts are not just about preserving tradition, culture, and heritage—they are also evolving to meet the needs of modern consumers. Today, designers are collaborating directly with artisans to integrate these historic techniques into contemporary aesthetics. Brands like Stella McCartney, Eileen Fisher, and Etro have incorporated traditional weaving into their collections, while many independent and local brands in China and beyond are doing the same.
Indigo-Dyed Denim
Before petroleum-based synthetic dyes took over the market, plant-based dyes were the only option. For example, denim was originally dyed with natural indigo. Today, plant-dyed fabrics like batik remain a niche segment of the fashion industry, but—like handloom textiles—they play a crucial role in celebrating culture, heritage, and craftsmanship. However, natural dyes haven’t gained widespread adoption due to limitations in color variety and fastness. Despite this, brands such as Icicle and ZucZug in China, along with Eileen Fisher and Stella McCartney, have embraced plant-dyed collections to tell stories about nature and tradition.
One of the many machines that make clothing manufacturing easier today.
The sustainable fashion movement has helped increase awareness and adoption of traditional textiles. Additionally, technology such as AI and 3D sampling tools like Clo3D is making it easier to bring these textiles to life faster and with greater variety. Perhaps, with the help of these innovations, traditional textiles will gain a larger market share in the future.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting local designers and entrepreneurs in China and Southeast Asia who work with traditional weaving and natural dyes. Their work not only showcases the richness of these cultural traditions but also sparks curiosity and a desire to explore these regions firsthand. These artisans play a vital role in today’s fashion landscape—preserving the past while giving contemporary silhouettes a fresh and meaningful twist.