Smart Heritage: Integrating Wearable Technology with Traditional Textile Craft

Abstract

The convergence of wearable technology and traditional textile craft represents a critical frontier in design innovation, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. This study explores how “smart heritage” can be conceptualized as a hybrid paradigm that integrates embedded electronic systems within culturally significant textiles without compromising their symbolic, aesthetic, and artisanal integrity. The paper examines the technological frameworks underpinning wearable systems—such as conductive fibers, sensors, and microcontrollers—alongside the socio-cultural value systems embedded in traditional crafts. Through analytical synthesis of recent , the study highlights how this integration can revitalize declining craft traditions, generate new economic opportunities for artisans, and contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable fashion. The research also evaluates challenges including technological accessibility, ethical considerations, intellectual property rights, and the risk of cultural commodification. Empirical and conceptual models are discussed to illustrate pathways for co-creation between technologists and artisans. The findings suggest that a carefully mediated integration can result in context-sensitive innovations that preserve authenticity while enabling functional adaptability. Ultimately, the study positions smart heritage as a transformative design approach that aligns technological advancement with cultural continuity and inclusive development.