Natural Dyeing and Innovation: strategies for a more sustainable and technological fashion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5965/1982615x19482026e0007Keywords:
Natural dyeing, Technological innovation, Sustainable fashionAbstract
This research aimed to explore how technological innovation can enhance the use of natural dyeing in fashion by investigating projects that bridge ancestral techniques and contemporary technologies. Employing an applied, qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, the study was conducted through multiple case studies and content analysis. Six companies and projects were examined for their integration of natural dyeing practices with modern technologies such as biotechnology, smart textiles, nanotechnology, and blockchain. Data were processed using thematic content analysis, supported by the DeepSeek large language model for the categorization of ten critical dimensions, including challenges, opportunities, economic viability, and cultural impact. The results indicated that, while challenges regarding scalability and costs persist, the combination of traditional knowledge and emerging technologies fosters low-impact solutions and cultural appreciation. This research contributes by proposing an operational roadmap of practical guidelines tailored to the Global South context, highlighting pathways for designers and brands to align technological sovereignty with socio-environmental responsibility, thereby reframing fashion as a positive and regenerative force.
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