ROOT-BASED MATERIALS

Biodesign Approache for Fabricating Textiles

As a designer, I continuously reflect on how fashion collections are created—especially in terms of material sustainability and environmental impact. With the fashion industry generating over 92 million tonnes of waste and consuming 1.5 trillion tonnes of water annually, I often ask: How many steps are truly necessary to make a garment? How can we reduce waste, conserve energy, and rethink our relationship with materials?

Today, more designers are turning to nature—not just as inspiration, but as an active collaborator in the creative process. This shift represents a deeper commitment to circular design, where the life cycle of a fashion product is considered from the outset. One promising method is bio-fabrication, or growing design—a practice that involves cultivating materials directly from living organisms or plants, rather than extracting or synthesizing them.

Using bio-based materials offers numerous ecological benefits. These materials often grow naturally, requiring minimal artificial inputs, and originate from renewable sources. They are inherently resource-efficient and biodegradable, making them a viable strategy for reducing fashion's environmental footprint and addressing the urgent challenges of climate change.

With the Amber Grain project, I explore alternative approaches to textile fabrication through the language of biodesign. Here, roots are not just symbols but co-creators. As they search for water and nutrients, they weave themselves into delicate patterns—guided by human hands that provide structure, support, and care. This process is a conversation between species, a collaboration shaped by conditions and intention.

By cultivating textiles in this way, Amber Grain invites us to slow down and observe the rhythms of growth. It's a reminder that sustainability isn't only about reducing harm—but also about nurturing relationships with living systems. The form we design shapes the way the plant grows through it, offering a vision of fashion that is symbiotic, living, and rooted in reciprocity