APPLYING THE TRADITIONAL LEATHER CRAFT IN FASHION DESIGN: FROM CULTURAL HERITAGE TO CONTEMPORARY CREATIVITY

Abstract

The traditional leather craft once played a significant role in Vietnam’s socio-cultural life. However, in the context of globalization and fashion industrialization, it has been declining under the dominance of industrial products. This paper  proposes a new approach to conserving and developing the traditional leather craft-as cultural heritage-through its application in contemporary fashion design. Based on fieldwork, case studies, and design practice, the study elucidates the aesthetic, technical, and symbolic values of the craft and proposes a model for integrating hand-crafted leather into fashion design along sustainable lines. The findings help forge a link between cultural heritage and contemporary design, expanding the development potential of traditional crafts within the creative economy.