There is Space For Both Creativity and Science in Fashion.
Feats of engineering are already widely celebrated around the globe, especially ones that mostly affect the medical and scientific field. But it seems like we only hear about their effects on more artistic industries every once in a while, yet I believe fashion and engineering go hand in hand. Both involve the process of creation of a new thing, both take into account how materials work in creating features of new products, and both have a significant impact on pop culture and society if they become famous or trendy enough.
As both a self-proclaimed science nerd and fashion girly, I just wanted to research some instances the two fields have met, and maybe share them with you guys in the process. So, here are some examples I think you’d find interesting.
1: The Magical World of Iris van Herpen
Iris van Herpen is a Dutch fashion designer known for intricate craftsmanship in her outfits mixed with the use of technology. Recently, you might have found her in fashion-related news for receiving France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, an accolade received for her service towards both the French and global creative industries. She has designed clothing for the likes of Björk, Beyoncè, Lady Gaga and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
There is a lot of scientific background in each of Iris van Herpen’s pieces. From being inspired by the sensory processes occurring in our brains for her SS20 “Sensory Seas” collection to her 3D-printed dress being named one of Time’s 50 Best Inventions of 2011.
I want to talk more about the SS21 collection “Roots of Rebirth”, and how Iris van Herpen managed to take inspiration from the natural world for her designs and show off the intricacy of her craftsmanship. Inspired by the natural patterns of fungi, roots and spores are woven into the 21 looks that make this collection, made out of materials from marine debris to duchess fabric. Techniques used in the construction of the looks range from laser-cutting fabrics to 3D embroidering details, giving this collection the unmissable meeting of the environmental and technological worlds that occurs in every Iris van Herpen collection.
There are too many of her collections that I would like to talk about, but unfortunately that will have to wait another day.
2: The Invention of Bio-Yarn
If you have not heard about how humans are depleting the planet’s natural resources and not replacing them at the same rate, then I want to live under whatever rock you do. The challenge this brings us is to create new materials out of biodegradable and already available ones, a challenge that is definitely not as easy as it sounds.
Biomaterials research company AlgiKnit has developed a type of yarn made of biopolymers (such as algae, kelp or seaweed) that can be used to make wearable textiles. They aim to operate within a “closed loop product lifecycle”, using materials with significantly lower carbon footprints than others to make clothes cradle-to-cradle. Oarweed, a brown alga, is known as one of the fastest growing plants in the world, making it perfect to achieve AlgiKnit’s environmental goals. Their current work is helping both the environment and local communities, as coastal town residents who usually rely on fishing seasons for their income now have another opportunity they can capitalise on.
An extrusion process is used to make the biopolymer mixture into a filament that can be woven to make different clothing pieces. Products are also knit to shape, allowing little to no waste in the production process. When the customer gets tired of the product or it becomes unwearable due to natural wear-and-tear, it can be broken down by microorganisms to feed the next generation of algae that will make up future products.
By reinventing the way the fashion industry views textile-making and materials, AlgiKnit can be the one to take the first step into a more sustainable future.
3: Engineering the Prada x Axiom Spacesuits
And finally, I want to talk about a collaboration that shocked both the fashion and space exploration industries back in late 2023. Axiom Space, the architects of the very first commercial space station, announced a collaboration between them and Italian fashion giant Prada on the creation of new spacesuits for the Artemis III mission. This mission is currently being planned for 2025, and will see a woman step on lunar soil for the very first time.
Immediately, I am in awe of this. The collaboration between a company in a stereotypically feminine industry and a commercial space company will not only lead to a huge accomplishment for women in STEM, but a symbolic accomplishment for women around the globe.
Prada will be collaborating with Axiom in working out the production of particular features designed to withstand the lunar soil, as well as choosing the material and textiles that the suits will be made out of. So far, we only have images of a prototype, however Prada and Axiom engineers are working behind the scenes in developing the very first of these suits.
These three examples I’ve talked about above show the intersectionality between industries and crafts that can be seen in today’s world. No doubt there will be more scientific discoveries that will eventually find themselves in artistic industries, and magical creations won’t be as rare anymore.
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