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ABOUT

Hello, I’m Johanna Schründer, a costume designer and maker from Hamburg, Germany, specializing in ecologically sustainable costume design. My work combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative technologies, with a focus on integrating sustainable materials into artistic and theatrical contexts.

You can discover more of my work on my website and follow my creative process on instagram.

EDUCATION

I completed a three-year tailoring apprenticeship at a theater, followed by professional experience in costume ateliers in Germany, Austria, and Spain. I then studied Costume Design and Construction in Dresden for 5 years, focusing on theater. My training included historical and modern pattern making, fabric dyeing, sculptural costumes, patination, and design. During this time, I spent a year at the University of Art and Design in Linz (Austria) in the Fashion & Technology program. There, I explored biomaterials, smart textiles, programming, and natural dyeing—an experience that inspired me to combine material innovation with costume design. This interdisciplinary approach culminated in my diploma project, which investigated the integration of experimental materials and digital tools in sustainable costume practices.

PREVIOUS WORK

I have worked freelance in costume design and costume making for theater, opera and performances. In addition, I develop and lead educational projects in arts, crafts, and biomaterials, as well as workshops on human rights and sustainability in the fashion industry.

Over the past three years, my artistic practice has increasingly focused on experimental biomaterials such as kombucha leather, mycelium, and alginate, as well as natural dyeing, 3D printing, and laser cutting. Within my project Costume of the Future, I created costume pieces from alginate, gelatin, kombucha leather, and mushroom mycelium, alongside a 3D-printed garment. The project serves as a proof of concept for ecological design methods, demonstrating the development of sustainable materials and their practical applications in costume design.

costume of the future, Johanna Schründer, 2025

biomimetic insects, Johanna Schründer, 2023

mycelium handbag, Johanna Schründer, 2025

MOTIVATION

I am participating in Fabricademy to further expand my expertise in biomaterials and digital manufacturing, and to enrich my artistic practice with new perspectives. Collaboration and exchange with others are essential to my process: I look forward to sharing knowledge, exploring, and experimenting together. I am particularly interested in bacterial dyeing, advancing my work with mycelium, and learning more about smart textiles and soft robotics. My goal is to integrate these technologies into costume design, opening new possibilities for performance while promoting sustainability.