Digitally-driven construction of fashion lineage: Sustainable design of leather carving fabrics of ethnic minorities in Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

This study explores the sustainable design and digital preservation of Mongolian leather carving fabrics, a unique material cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in Inner Mongolia, China. By integrating field research with digital tools such as 3D scanning, CLO 3D, Blender modelling, and interactive web platforms, the project investigates how traditional leather carving techniques and cultural symbols can be recorded, reconstructed and reinterpreted for modern fashion design. Drawing inspiration from Italian sustainable leather practices, the research applies sustainable design principles to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact while maintaining the integrity and aesthetic value of traditional patterns. The methodology combines qualitative documentation of artisans ’ creative processes and cultural narratives with quantitative high-precision data capture of representative works to build a digital archive and pattern library. Expected outcomes include high-fidelity digital models, an interactive exhibition platform, and a practical framework for the innovative inheritance and cross-cultural transmission of Mongolian leather art, contributing to the broader fields of digital heritage and sustainable fashion design.