DESIGN AS A CULTURAL BRIDGE: INTEGRATING CRAFTS, GENDER PERSPECTIVES, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN FUTURE TEXTILE INNOVATION

The textile industry stands at a critical juncture globally. Cultural homogenisation, environmental degradation, and continued gender inequalities in its labor force has characterised the industry. This study examines design as a dynamic bridge between cultural identity, gender perspectives, and sustainability in the contemporary textile industry It examines how design allow the heritage textile practices to preserve cultural continuum in response to the changing market demand. The research study was conducted in a qualitative form, whereby the participatory design processes in some of the chosen craft clusters are examined with specific interest on gender issues and sustainability. The results indicate that culturally sensitive and participatory design solutions improve product innovativeness, sustainable production, visibility and empowerment of women artisans. Nevertheless, there are still issues of power relationship and scalability. In sum, the paper identifies design as a primary catalyst of culturally based, gender-balanced, and sustainable textile innovation, which is part of novel futuristic approaches that combine heritage conservation with social and environmental accountability.