Clothing of the Future: Bacteria Based
It is no news that fashion trends change rapidly. Designers need to adapt to the constant societal changes to sell their products. One of these changes that has a major impact is the concern about pollutants and finding alternatives to help the environment. Following this pattern, many designers around the world are changing the materials they use. Not only that, some have found that using bacteria is not only eco-friendly, but it can reshape the clothes we wear to accommodate our needs.
The fashion design industry and science have not long come together to create unique and functional pieces. However, these projects require lots of research and trial and error in between. Although it seems that these artists and scientists have discovered new ways to cover our bodies, there is still a long way until we can wear something like these. Here are some unique propositions that could become our future fashion choices.
1. Crocheted Membrane
Would you be interested in wearing something exclusively designed to cover the areas in your body that need more warmth? Even if it leaves some areas open?
In 2009, artist and fashion designer Sonja Bäumel created Crocheted Membrane, a clothing alternative that adjusts to the needs of each body. She introduced this idea to the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, where she was accepted as an intern. There she was able to learn more about microbiology and experiment with bacteria and their reaction to textiles. Soon she began developing Crocheted Membrane. The work shown here is the result of an experiment where she studied the reaction of the body at 50ºF (10ºC). She crocheted the yarn to cover the areas that cooled down quickly and left an opening for areas that kept warmer.
She visualized the result as a second skin that could potentially change on its own throughout the day and fit our bodily temperature requirements. More research is needed to create a changing fabric; however, the possibility of wearing a changing “second skin” is exciting.
2. MIT Biofabric
Perhaps the idea of crochet clothing that is constantly shifting is still a bit wild, but what about daily clothes with ventilation that opens and closes to regulate your temperature?
MIT bioLogic team and New Balance company worked together to create sportswear with bacteria that can open and close fabric vents. They used the Japanese delicacy Nattō (fermented soybeans) as a source of inspiration because of the way the bacteria reacts to humidity. The clothes are supposed to respond to our bodies’ heat, opening when we sweat and closing once we cool down.
The project is still a work in progress. The bioLogic team is still searching for ways that will allow the clothes to withstand washing cycles. They also want to mutate the bacteria so the smell will not be of fermented beans. Also, they are experimenting with fluorescence so that the bacteria will react to light, and the clothes could emit light at night, which will be useful for bikers.
MIT scientists not only think of eco-friendly clothes but also imagine a future where the clothes we wear will fit us from childhood to adulthood, resizing as we grow up. It is a vision that can be achieved using bacteria.
3. Skin II
So far, we have seen two proposals for regulating the body temperature and help ventilate the body. However, bacteria for clothing design can have other beneficial results.
Some clothes use toxic chemicals that harm the natural bacteria that is in our skin. These bacteria, as well as other viruses and fungi, are necessary to keep pathogens away from our interiors and to prevent skin infections.
With this in mind, designer Rosie Broadhead came up with an ideal solution: making clothes with probiotic bacteria that could help our skin and our immune system. The probiotic bacteria encapsulated in the Skin II leotard’s fibers will become active once in contact with our skin and decrease foreign bacteria. The probiotics concentrate largely in the areas that tend to be more sweaty, like the armpits. It can also improve cell renewal and help control odors. The leotard is made of natural yarns, making it not only skin-friendly but also very comfortable. Besides, it needs less washing, so it can be another eco-friendly choice.
Although none of these clothes are yet available to the public, it is exciting to think that not too far from today we will be able to wear clothes that adapt to our bodies; not only to embellish our physic and help our skin but also to help the environment.
