Design Decisions as Leverage Points of Textile Production and Supply Chain Orientation: Case Textile Colouration
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Textile design decisions, from fibres to finished fabrics, are often seen as matters of aesthetics and product functionality.However, these decisions also shape, among other aspects, production systems, supply chain structures, and the environmental impact of textile manufacturing.Textiles are constructed in complex production chains that transform fibres into yarns and ultimately into finished fabrics.At each stage, design and production choices influence not only the visual and technical properties of the final textile but also its ecological footprint and production system.This paper argues that more sustainable textile supply chains are achievable within existing technological capabilities if design and production decisions are reconsidered.Many alternative production methods already exist but remain underutilised because industrial practices are shaped by mass production and the demand for standardised material properties.For instance, colour can be introduced at multiple stages of the textile production process at the fibre, yarn, or fabric level.Yet contemporary industrial systems often prioritise dyeing yarn or fabric.While this approach offers flexibility for supply chains and enables rapidly changing colour palettes, it is also associated with significant environmental burdens.Drawing on preliminary insights from mapping current fabric colouration-oriented supply chains, examining heritage fibre-stage colouration practices, and analysing how historical industrial development has prioritised certain production methods over others, this paper highlights how textile design decisions function as leverage points within the supply chain.Anchored in transformation research theories, the paper emphasises that textile knowledge-informed design, combined with supply chain management research, is essential to challenge current practices and guide the industry toward more sustainable alternatives.
Source: Textile Intersections
DOI: 10.21606/ti-2026.153
Institutions: Aalto University, Design School Kolding
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7213393484