Rare Romanian Ethnographic Textiles—Reverse Engineering of Fabrics for Fashion Trends

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear Authors,

Please introduce more details with references about the research methodology, as for example, lines 241-255 should be at the beginning of the section. I would split the text at section 2 in more sub-sections. 

Yours faithfully,

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,
as suggested, this part of the text has been moved to the beginning of this section. And in the section, a new breakdown into subsections has been introduced.
Literature was also expanded. A text has been added to better situate the work in terms of sustainable development. Conclusions were also developed.
I would like to thank you for your time and comments, which we believe made the text clearer and allowed us to extend it to include aspects of sustainable development in relation to the protection of cultural heritage, based on the example of our research.
Kind regards,
Jan A. Wendt

Reviewer 2 Report

The article presented is the result of an intensive study and analysis of various ethnographic textiles from Romania. From a preventive conservation and restoration point of view, textiles are very fragile materials. That is why, together with the analysis of textile fibers with appropriate techniques, the digitization processes are proposed as conservation tools. 
The article is, therefore, well founded and well constructed. However, its main weakness is that it is an article focused on magazines specialized in Conservation and Restoration or material analysis processes. 
In this sense, the analysis should incorporate a reflection on what the study, analysis and recovery of this cultural heritage can entail from the point of view of sustainability. Either from the framework of the SDGs and their link with cultural heritage and its conservation, or from the point of view of what the recovery of traditional knowledge (natural fibers, non-polluting dyes, etc.) means for the contemporary textile industry and for new designers.
In conclusion, the work is correct but to be included in this journal, it needs depth in the analysis associated with sustainability, as well as bibliography and reference studies in the field. 

As well as a greater conceptual development in the application of the results, conclusions, etc.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,
I consider your comments to be justified, the text has been expanded to include considerations devoted to the relationship of sustainable development and the preservation of cultural heritage. I took advantage of your suggestions and tried to indicate the approach taking into account SDGs and their relationship with cultural heritage on the one hand, and on the other hand with the possibilities offered by the results of the research carried out for the contemporary textile industry and designers, also in terms of sustainable development. Also, from my point of view, the literature was expanded to include works on SDGs and their relationships with textiles. A text has been added to better situate the work on the subject of sustainable development. Conclusions were also developed.
As an explanation, I would also like to comment on your last comment from the review regarding the choice of the journal. After conducting the research, we considered the publication possibilities and the choice of the journal. In Sustainability we find this special edition which describes the phrase "Non-invasive / micro-invasive techniques and methods for diagnostic in heritage conservation;" which prompted us to choose this edition. However, we hope that, having expanded the work in accordance with your suggestions, our text is more suited to the edition.
Thank you so much for your time and comments.
Kind regards,
Jan A. Wendt

Reviewer 3 Report

The current study aimed at investigating and collecting data concerning ornaments, colors, patterns and weaving techniques of Romanian folk textile. Moreover, this study expanded its focus including a simulation of fashion trends form the modern textile industry.

Results from this paper could usually contribute to the construction of a model of texture features able to identify them that can inspire contemporary design in local and regional handicraft as well as in the clothing industry.

In general, the paper is well-structured.

Concerning the Introduction section, it is clear what is already known about the topic and the research questions are clearly outlined and justified given what is already known about the topic.

With regard to Methods and Results, the study methods are valid and reliable and there are enough details to replicate the study.

Authors also clearly explain significant results and their practically meaning.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,
On behalf of the authors, I would like to thank you for your time, work and positive evaluation of our text. Especially for the last positive sentence of the evaluation from the file sent in pdf.
However, according to other reviewers, the text still required work and the introduction of amendments signed by them, hence its new version, mainly extended to include aspects of sustainable development in relation to the protection of cultural heritage.

Thank you once again and best regards,
Jan A. Wendt

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The improvements introduced and the relationship with sustainability are adequate.