Intertwining Fashion Practices Toward Industry 5.0 Through a Design-Driven Approach

Technology is the oikos of contemporary humanity, able to modify the earth’s ecosystem, contributing to the co-evolution of life of all species, particularly human beings. In the Technocene, the relationship between nature and society is strongly influenced by technological dominance. However, Industry 5.0 strategies suggest an opportunity to change this condition by leveraging the technological potential through more sustainable, resilient, and human-centric approaches and optimizing existing resources through systematic prevention of physical, social, urban, and process waste. This article focuses on the role of design in driving a positive holistic, sustainable transformation through digital technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, laser cutting, collaborative robotics, 3D modeling, and simulation) in fashion, textile, and apparel applications. Expanding on case study analysis, this paper discusses how to re-center human beings, hybridizing craftsmanship with technologies toward safer, more creative, and sustainable design and manufacturing processes via connected supply and value chains. A framework is presented where design drives a paradigmatic shift to (i) reduce waste and polluted resources via circular harvested materials and cross-sectoral partnership; (ii) enhance human labor ecosystems and upskill the artisanal workforce via fashion-augmented craftsmanship/non-standard fabrication; (iii) revive local crafts expertise and cities via nearshoring production; (iv) align better with customers via on-demand hyper customization through experience activated interactions. This article highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary perspective among fashion, science, society, craft, and technology for a synergistic and sympathetic relationship between society and nature.