How can we reduce dependencies on petroleum substances for body wearables? Bio Mud Fabrics presents an evolutionary design journey and novel development of earth-and bio-based wearable textiles, which consist entirely of geo- and bio-based materials. The developed fabrics were then applied in a series of speculative design demonstrations with fashion design serving as a central case study.
These images depict a preliminary rigid garment created using excavation NY soils, plant fibers, and shredded paper. This research uniquely combines material science and engineering with exploratory fashion design and architectural practices with the goal of offering radically innovative biomaterials in an effort to shift towards a more circular material paradigm. Moving from rigid garments to flexible fabrics required us to investigate material properties from the micro- to the meso- and macro-scales.
Experimenting with a range of plant fibers, the second publication in this series of study presents an analysis of the nano-to-macro scales of this breathing, natural, and nontoxic wearable substance. We combine movement and material choreography with deep structural analysis using ASTM tear test standards for our material developments. In here, we aimed to create an earthen fabric that is strong yet flexible to move with, while being compatible with a range of production methods: laser cutting, stitching, sewing, and embroidering of fabrics.
This research was presented at the 2023 Bio-Calibrated: Tools and Techniques of Bio-design Practices Symposium at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London:
Chongtoua P., Ben-Alon L. (2023). Developing and Characterizing a Typology of Soil Fabrics. Bio-Calibrated: Tools and Techniques for Biodesign Practices Symposium. Forthcoming in November 30th, University of the Arts London.
