Crafts made invisible in the face of current fashion in Colombia

Abstract

This research analyzes the invisibility of Colombian handicrafts within the contemporary fashion industry, understanding this phenomenon as a cultural, social, and economic problem that directly affects the recognition of artisanal work and the preservation of ancestral knowledge. Handicrafts, as expressions of identity transmitted across generations, currently face difficulties stemming from cultural devaluation, unfair competition from mass-produced goods, and a lack of connection with design and fashion platforms that could enhance their symbolic value. Through a qualitative approach grounded in Participatory Action Research (PAR), this research examines the experiences of artisans, students, consumers, and stakeholders in the fashion sector to understand the causes that contribute to their invisibility. The study reviews national and international precedents that demonstrate the importance of artisanal heritage as a driver of identity, sustainability, and local development, as well as theoretical frameworks that explain the relationship between cultural memory, knowledge transmission, and generational divides. This study also includes legal frameworks that regulate the protection of artisanal work in Colombia, highlighting the opportunities offered by copyright, industrial design, and policies that promote and strengthen its presence in the creative industry. Through surveys, semi-structured interviews, observation, and document analysis, the study identifies how artisans face economic barriers, a lack of recognition in the fashion industry, and a decline in the transmission of ancestral knowledge due to the precariousness of their craft. Finally, the study proposes fashion as a strategic platform for visibility, capable of projecting the aesthetic, symbolic, and cultural value of handicrafts, promoting sustainable practices, fair trade, and sociocultural integration that contribute to preserving Colombian identity and strengthening the artisanal sector as a living heritage.