Spora#
by Irene Caretti & Stéphanie Santos#
Check our website!#
Contest Fashion Digital Made#
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Our outfit has been designed to join the contest “Fashion Digital Made” by Fondazione Mondo Digitale.
Inspirations#
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Our project explores all the possibilities connected with fungus and spores.
Fungi are some of the oldest species ever, they are the grant recyclers of the planet and the vanguard species in habitat restoration.
Moreover, Mycelium is the neurological network of nature and Earth’s internet, a consciousness with which we might be able to communicate.
We believe in an open source connectivity and sharing of the resources in our communities, just like nature’s network.
We want to create a women’s wear ensemble by using different technologies and bioelements.
The designs will be inspired by the Fungi kingdom.
Our Vision#
The aim of the project is to create an open source haute couture outfit.
We believe in the sharing of knowledge and in the development of new technologies applied in the textile and fashion industry.
This look has been designed in order to mix different knowledges together, such as parametric design and bio-couture.
As designers and researchers we believe that the fashion industry needs to explore more sustainable and technological systems and we are hoping to inspire people and pioneers to look forward towards a more positive impact on the environment by proposing new ideas for the fashion and textile industries.
The Outfit#
The Outfit is composed by differen pieces.
Haute Couture Garment#
The inside of the outfit is a suit composed by a top and pants.
It is tailored as an haute couture garment.
Its cream color rappresents the elegance and evokes the common color of mushrooms.
Process garments “Spora”#
- For the making of garments, you’ll need some basics at garment making and sewing, and have ‘basic’ templates of your choice. Stéphanie used 38 basic templates to create both, pants and top patterns.
- When satisfied with the patterns, Stéphanie first started by sewing a prototype in calico to check the proportions and details.
- When the patterns have been updated and corrected, Stéphanie cutted onto the final fabric and assemble everything with the sewing machine.
Bio-plastic Belt#
The bioplastic belt is made out of tulle fabric and agar based bioplastic.
On the surface of the belt are present some 24K gold leafs.
The texture of the belt mimics the smooth surface of a mushroom.
The aim of the project is to let the user explore all the experience of a mushroom (texture - color - details).
Bio foil:#
- 5 gr Agar
- 15 gr Glycerine
- 250 ml Water
- This recipe works best when casted in very thin layers. The foil will shrink in both size and thickness, but it will be flexible and translucent.
- The belt is directly casted on the mold (mannquin). Repeat the process 3 to 4 times to creates several layers, and thus obtain a thicker bio-plastic.
- It is possible to put materials between the bio-plastics’ layers.
- Cook ±40min at approx. 60 degrees.
Laser-cut Kimono#
The kimono is made out of latex, a natural material that comes form some specific plants, called “rubber tree”.
The kimono has been thought to be a zero waste and seamless design.
All the parts are joined together trough the use of weaved interlockings made out silk double organza.
Different modular weaving inrelocking has been researched.
Due to the use of interlocking the size is adjustable.
The kimono has been prototyped and laser cutted in calico first.
Once the design and the setting for the laser cutted were refine everything has been cutted in the final fabric.
Software and machine required#
- Rhinoceros
- Illustrator
- Laser cut
3D printed collar#
This collar is inspired by the gilles of a mushroom and parametric designed with Grasshopper.
The design is directly 3D-printed on the tulle fabric.
The 3D filament used is hard translucent PLA.
Software and machine required:#
- Rhinoceros
- Grasshopper
- 3D printer
Wool Cape#
This wool cape is designed as a modular and adjustable cape.
Just like the kimono, all the parts are joined together without sewing.
Its design reminds the gilles of certain species of fungi.
It is made of 100% italian wool.
Software and machine required:#
- Rhinoceros
- Grasshopper
- 3D printer
Resin Earrings#
The earrings come from Stéphanie Santos’ previous collection.
They are made of resin, 24K gold leaf and scraps of 3D-pen filament.
Earrings’ process:#
- Create your own molds with silicon (for molding), and let it dry.
- Then you need your clear resin, and any other material you want to add to the design.
- Pour the liquid until half of your mold.
- Add your gold flakes ( or other ) and fill the mold with some more resin until satisfied with the thickness.
- Let everything dry for 24-48 hours.