"ARIMA"¶
The Botanical Alchemist
Design Concept: The Living Garment¶
The living garment is a wearable piece integrated with 3D printed modules that allow flowers or plants to grow directly on its surface. The garment serves as a living ecosystem, making the wearer a caretaker and active participant in its maintenance and evolution.
5 Ws¶
Who¶
This project targets environmentally conscious individuals, fashion innovators, and those who value a deep emotional connection with their clothing. It is also relevant to sustainability advocates and designers who seek to merge nature with wearable art.
What¶
The project is a living garment that allows flowers to grow and be cultivated on its surface. Designed with modular flower pods and customizable options, the garment evolves with the wearer’s mood and emotional state. It is not just clothing but a dynamic, living ecosystem that fosters mindfulness and sustainability.
When¶
The concept is designed for present and future applications, addressing the urgent need for sustainable and emotionally enriching fashion.
Where¶
The garment is not for daily wear but rather showcased in installations that provoke thought about the intersection of nature and humanity.
Why¶
The project aims to challenge conventional relationships with clothing by fostering an emotional and ecological connection. The wearer becomes a caretaker, nurturing the garment as it grows, which promotes mindfulness, sustainability, and a heightened awareness of humanity’s relationship with nature. It also addresses issues of overconsumption by creating a deeply personal, reusable, and adaptable piece.
References¶
1. Paula Ulargui Escalona's Collaboration with Loewe
Spanish designer Paula Ulargui Escalona collaborated with fashion house Loewe to create garments adorned with living plants. By incorporating flora into clothing, Escalona seeks to prompt a reevaluation of fashion's relationship with nature, emphasizing sustainability and environmental consciousness.
2. Nicole Dextras's 'Weedrobes' Series
Artist Nicole Dextras created the 'Weedrobes' series, featuring garments and accessories made from living plants, flowers, and seeds. These compostable couture pieces are designed to decompose over time, highlighting the transient nature of fashion and encouraging a sustainable approach to clothing.
3. Hye Yeon Nam's 'FloraWear'
Hye Yeon Nam developed 'FloraWear,' a wearable living interface that integrates plants into clothing. This project aims to create emotional ties between the wearer and their plants, promoting an understanding of the interconnectedness within ecosystems and encouraging mindfulness about one's role in the environment.
4. Kate Reed's Beyond Biomimicry
Kate Reed's "Beyond Biomimicry" is an innovative design philosophy that seeks to transcend traditional biomimicry by actively involving nature in the design process, allowing natural organisms to function as co-designers. This approach aims to foster a more sustainable and equitable future by integrating living systems directly into wearable technology.
5. Post Carbon Lab's Biocouture
Post Carbon Lab has developed garments treated with photosynthetic coatings, enabling them to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This innovation not only makes the clothing environmentally beneficial but also encourages wearers to engage with the living aspects of their attire, fostering an emotional connection and a sense of responsibility towards the environment.