One of our highlights of 2022 was exhibiting at Dutch Design Week. It’s one of the largest design events in Europe so not only did we get to display our dyes there but we also got to see some amazing innovations other designers are working on to improve our planet. Here’s our round up of our favourite exhibits.
Jess Redgrave - Climafibre
Climafibre has developed fibre for textiles, natural dyes and a hydropic coating made entirely from sunflowers.
Using enzymes derived from bacteria and fungi, Climafibre has worked closely with scientists to develop a unique process to isolate cellulose fibres from sunflower stems. These fibres are then combed and spun into a yarn, and then woven into a fabric.
The hydrophobic coating is made from a by-product of the sunflower oil industry and provides water-resistant protection for natural fibres without the use of harmful chemicals. This coating allows the fabric to maintain its breathable qualities with minimal alteration to its aesthetics or hand feel. Climafibre's bold colour palette has been developed from pigments extracted from various parts of the flower. They can be used as a natural alternative for textile dyes and printing, free from fossil fuels.
Check out more of Jess’s work here: https://jessredgrave.com/
Charlotte Werth - Moving Pigment
Charlotte has developed a machine which is designed to experiment and explore the process of bacteria dyeing through automation. The machine feeds textiles through four different dye baths that are filled with bacteria and bacteria media. Before and after the main dye chamber are two sterilization chambers for the textile to be free from contaminants. It represents a case study for the prospective large scale implementation of sustainable co-designing dye practices.
You can see more of Charlotte’s work on instagram @charlottewerth_
Christien Meindertsma - De Zachte Stad: Rotterdam Wool
Dutch wool is said to be inferior, and Rotterdam’s sheep therefore produce 5000 kilos of wool every single year that has, until recently, been thought of as worthless. The municipality of Rotterdam called in Christien to research whether this wool was really as worthless as it seemed.
Christien has used the De Zachte Stad project to demonstrate the possibilities offered by Rotterdam wool in a sample book which has been brought to life. These range from fashion or interior applications, all the way through to concepts for the construction and music industry. Some results are semi-finished products, others are concrete products. Meindertsma’s research has also opened doors to a new innovative material.
Read more about Christien’s work here: https://christienmeindertsma.com/
Studio Saramite and Roua Atelier - Pre-loved
Pre-Loved is a new bio-textile concept made of post-consumer textile waste. A unique production method turns mixed-blend inferior textile fibres into a sturdy bio-composite for future garment making. The lightweight material can have marble-like patterns or hues accentuated by natural dyes.
Developed by Sarmite Polakova in collaboration with Roua Atelier, Pre-Loved skips the need for traditional textile recycling entirely. Instead, it emphasizes recyclability: The leather-like material can be dissolved at the end of its life and the textile fibres repurposed for the next production cycle. This way textile fibres stay in products and not in landfills.
See more of Studio Sarmite’s work here: https://studiosarmite.com/
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