Ephemeral Fashion Lab
Amsterdam
2020
Project Overview
As a final project for the Fabricademy program at TextileLab Amsterdam, part of Waag Futurelab, I developed a project called Ephemeral Fashion Lab (EFL). I was particularly interested in the combination of bio-fabricating materials and digital fabrication. Triggered by the thought of the ephemerality of trends in fashion, I raised the question: What if fashion products were made to naturally wear out as trends change, instead of lasting long after we’ve lost interest?
EFL - a concept merging fashion design with an experimentation lab - emerged as a speculative design project to answer this question. EFL envisions a place where the design and manufacture of mono-material products can be combined with an open-source approach, utilizing compostable biomaterials. Traditionally, the fashion production process is fragmented across various stages and manufacturers, leading to numerous social, environmental, and economic challenges. This project proposes a more sustainable and nature-aligned approach through digital fabrication and collaborative design.
Open Source
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Digital Fabrication
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Compostable Product
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Speculative Fashion
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Biomaterial Design
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Circular Design
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Open Source • Digital Fabrication • Compostable Product • Speculative Fashion • Biomaterial Design • Circular Design •
Press play and explore
My role
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Concept Developer
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Researcher
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Product and Material Designer
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Storyteller
As a proof of concept, I designed and crafted a capsule collection of bags using biomaterials, while also developing various recipes for suitable biomaterials. These bags were specifically designed for easy compostability at the end of their lifecycle.
Outcomes
Digital fabrication played a pivotal role, as bag patterns were digitally designed and laser-cut for assembly without the need for sewing. Through a series of interlocking mechanisms, the 2D patterns seamlessly transformed into 3D bags, showcasing the potential of innovative design processes in shaping a more sustainable future for fashion.
Rooted in open-source values, this project was developed with full transparency. All progress, recipes, and product designs are available for consultation. Click the link below and explore.
Special Mentions & Credits
Photos by Beatriz Sandini and Bela Rofe
Video editing and Motion Graphics by Tom Rutgers
Mentorship by TextileLab Amsterdam team: Cecilia Raspanti, Ista Boszhard, and Margherita Soldati and Fabricademy team: Anastasia Pistofidou, Cecilia Raspanti, Fiore Basile and Claudia Simonelli