The integration and transformative design research of plant dyeing techniques in Dong brocade with sustainable materials

Dong brocade, a fabric renowned for its intricate patterns and ethnic symbolism, has been woven by the Dong people for generations, showcasing their cultural significance. Traditional plant dyeing technology is one of the main aspects of Dong brocade but the documentation and understanding of this is still rather limited. With regard to the use of plant dye in Dong brocade, it is not as well explored as it should be since it has a traditional aspect. The main purpose is to investigate and apply the traditional plant dyeing technique to Dong brocade for the improvement of that sustainable concept and the preservation of cultural assets. Therefore, 121 Dong villagers were interviewed to elicit their awareness regarding prehistoric plant dyeing. By observing the dyeing conditions, this study provided accurate perception and learned how to differentiate between natural and synthetic mordants through ethnobotanical perception. The strategy is intended to integrate sustainable products into Dong brocade, employing orthogonal array development to find the right dyeing conditions for corresponding plant dyes. Research revealed that 8 genera of plants which include 7 species are used in dyeing Dong brocade. The findings presented in this work prove the effectiveness of the use of plant dyes in Dong brocade, showing its advantages with 30% of frequency and CI (Color Index) indices, 8% of them being cultural. 5 for ethnic cultural sustainment, developmental and bio-diversity reasons respectively. The unique integration between the traditional dyeing technique in Dong brocade and the utilization of sustainable resources is very promising for the improvement of identity enhancement and embodiment, and the preservation of the environment.