Skip to content
1981
image of Timeless threads: Exploring zero-waste design principles in ancient Persian clothing

Abstract

This study explores the principles of zero-waste and minimal-waste design within historical Persian garments from the pre-Islamic period, examining how these ancient techniques can inform contemporary sustainable fashion practices. Through qualitative analysis of historical texts, visual materials and an expert interview, the research identifies key characteristics of garments from the Medes, Persians, Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids that align with modern sustainability principles. The findings reveal that these garments employed simple geometric patterns, minimal cuts and innovative construction techniques – such as draping and pleating – that significantly reduced fabric waste while enhancing garment longevity and visual appeal. This article emphasizes the importance of integrating historical insights into current fashion design education, proposing that these ancient practices can inspire contemporary designers to create sustainable garments that align with zero-waste principles. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable fashion by highlighting the relevance of historical design practices in addressing today’s environmental challenges.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00340_1
2025-08-06
2026-04-21

Metrics

Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Afhami, Reza, Farbod, Farinaz and Fathi, Lida (2012), ‘Iranian clothing design during the Parthian period (a study on the pattern, cutting, and sewing techniques)’, Negareh Journal, 6:17, pp. 3145.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Black, Sandy (2020), Sustainable Fashion: A Sourcebook for Designers, London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Choopani, Hanieh, Grundmeier, Anne-Marie and Glomb, Martina (2023), ‘Exploring education for sustainable development (ESD) in fashion design studies in Germany and Iran: A comparison’, in E. P. Akçakoca Kumbasar, T. Bedez Üte, M. Küçük, S. Morsümbül, H. Karakaş and A. M. Sariışık (eds), International Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium (ITAS 2023) Proceedings, Izmir: Ege University, pp. 7584, https://textile.ege.edu.tr/tr-10330/iitas.html. Accessed 25 January 2025.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Choopani, Hanieh, Glomb, Martina and Grundmeier, Anne-Marie (2025), ‘Implementing sustainability aspects in fashion design education: Best practice example with USE-LESS Product Lifecycle’, in R. Harpa, C. Piroi and A. Buhu (eds), 19th Romanian Textiles and Leather Conference Proceedings, Iași: Sciendo and De Gruyter, pp. 26374, https://doi.org/10.2478/9788367405829-039.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Denzin, Norman K. (1970), The Research Act: A Theoretical Introduction to Sociological Methods, Chicago, IL: Aldine Publishing Company.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Döringer, Stefanie (2020), ‘The problem-centred expert interview: Combining qualitative interviewing approaches for investigating implicit expert knowledge’, International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 24:3, pp. 26578, https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2020.1766777.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017), A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, https://www.circularonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/A-New-Textiles-Economy_Full-Report.pdf. Accessed 30 December 2024.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Entezami, Maryam (n.d.), ‘Reconstructed historical Iranian costumes’, Maryam Entezami, https://www.maryentez.com/. Accessed 30 December 2024.
  9. Fletcher, Kate (2014), Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys, London: Earthscan.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Fletcher, Kate and Tham, Mathilda (2019), Earth Logic: Fashion Action Research Plan, London: The JJ Charitable Trust.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Gheibi, Mehrasa (2016), Eight Thousand Years of the History of Iranian Ethnic Clothing, Tehran: Hirmand Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Gwilt, Alison and Rissanen, Timo (2011), Shaping Sustainable Fashion: Changing the Way We Make and Use Clothes, Illustrated ed., London: Earthscan.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Houston, Mary G. (2011), Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian & Persian Costume, New York: Dover Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Iranica (2024), ‘Different historical periods of Iran’, Iranica, https://www.iranicaonline.org/. Accessed 30 December 2024.
  15. Joyner Martinez, Cosette M. and Dayan Vladimirova, Katia, Blazquezcano Cano, M., Choopani, H., Gray, S., Henninger, C. E., Karpova, E., Matus, K., Niinimäki, K., Onthank, K., Sauerwein, M., Singh, R., Wallaschkowski, S. and Whitty, J. (2024), Fashion Futures 2040, New Haven, CT: Sustainable Fashion Consumption Network, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373096382_Contributors#fullTextFileContent. Accessed 30 December 2024.
  16. Lindqvist, Rickard (2015), ‘Kinetic garment construction: Remarks on the foundations of pattern cutting’, Ph.D. thesis, Boras: The Swedish School of Textiles, University of Boras.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Mayring, Philipp (2022), Qualitative Content Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide, London: Sage Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. McQuillan, Holly (2020), ‘Digital 3D design as a tool for augmenting zero-waste fashion design practice’, International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 13:1, pp. 89100, https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2020.1737248.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Nayak, Rajkishore (2020), Sustainable Technologies for Fashion and Textiles, The Textile Institute Book Series, Ho Chi Minh City: RMIT University.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Pourbahman, Fereydoun (2023), Ancient Iranian Apparel, Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Rissanen, Timo (2013), ‘Doctor of philosophy-design: Zero-waste fashion design: A study at the intersection of cloth fashion design and pattern cutting’, Ph.D. thesis, Sydney: University of Technology Sydney.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Rissanen, Timo and McQuillan, Holly (2023), Zero-Waste Fashion Design, London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Strähle, Jochen (2023), ‘Intercultural aspects in sustainable fashion education’, in A.-M. Grundmeier and D. Höfer (eds), Sustainable Fashion Curriculum at Textile Universities in Europe: Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Teaching Module for Educators, Freiburg: Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg, pp. 1113, https://doi.org/10.60530/opus-2213.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Talebpour, Farideh, Goshtasb, Elnaz and Farhangpour, Yasaman (2020), ‘The use of digital technology in zero-waste fashion design with a sustainability approach’, Journal of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development, 8:4, pp. 12132, https://doi.org/10.30473/ee.2020.6924.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Ziāʾpour, Jalil (1971), Achaemenid and Median Clothing in Persepolis, Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Arts Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Moshirpour, Mir M. (1966), The History of Clothing Evolution in Iran, Mashhad: Zavar Mashhad Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00340_1
Loading
/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00340_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test