Sustainable Dyeing With Natural Pigments
Since dyeing is one of the most polluting parts of the textiles and apparel industry, my goal was to sustainably dye samples using only natural pigments and reactants. The fabric I chose was 100% cotton gauze, which I prepared by washing it with non-dyed, unscented soap and soaking it overnight in a mixture of 1 gallon of water and 2 teaspoons of Potassium Aluminum Sulfate. To create the dyes, I used all-natural pigments: Alkanet, Madder Root, Cochineal, Henna, Osage Orange, Indigo, Turmeric, and Beets. To change the color of these pigments, I created chemical reactions using reactants such as Potassium Aluminum Sulfate, Cream of Tartar, lime juice, and vinegar. I then created additional colors by re-dyeing samples to create deeper colors and by mixing dyes from various samples together.
Mycology
Mycelium Block
Many environmental scientists believe that mushrooms may actually be one answer to the global climate crisis. One way mushrooms fight climate change is with their large carbon-absorption rate. It has been found that mushrooms are responsible for sequestering even more carbon than trees. Mushrooms have also been used to clean toxic waste, including oil spills. One way I believe mycology – the study of fungi – can be used in the fashion industry is by replacing harmful packaging materials such as styrofoam and plastics. Mushrooms have already been used as a replacement material to build boats and buildings and I think this trend will only grow as more and more people begin to prioritize environmentalism. I created this (pictured) mushroom block as an experimental alternative to a simple styrofoam box. I created this block by crumbling mycelium and shaping it into this hollow box shape using a mold. I then let the mycelium grow for two weeks before drying it in the sun and removing it from the mold. The resulting block is a little rough around the edges, but I believe this research has real potential for eliminating waste in the fashion industry.
Sewing Using Recycled Materials
Overconsumption is a huge problem in the textiles and apparel industry, and one way to fight against it is by upcycling old clothes. This helps to minimize cost, while also adding a sustainable element to the design. For this design, I took an old pair of Topshop mom jeans and a bandana and sewed this top. The design aesthetic was inspired by the summertime street style in my hometown, Houston, Texas. This aesthetic can be defined by rap legends such as Megan Thee Stallion, but also by what people wear every day and to events such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, music festivals, and Pride.
