BOERTEX ©
Boertex material final piece
April 2021 - current
The story:
A Biomaterial garment is created from an abundance of a vegetable waste stream in The Netherlands. From food waste to fashion design.
“The intention of Boertex is to experiment with the vegetable waste and my job as a fashion designer is to explore whether it is possible to make a “current” design using this biomaterial. A final prototype is made with textile alternatives to raise awareness around material innovation.”
Why take on this area of design?
My role as a designer is to push the limitations to Design and to explore new material advancements.
Keeping up to date with current innovations, is one way of discovering new methods that tackle the unsustainable textile productions and systems. Boertex therefore challenges circular systems, designs and creative thinking and the brand considers the physical properties and behaviour a material carries when biofabricated.
Looking at alternative materials as part of a sustainable lifestyle.
Know your vegetables, suppliers, and design with an eco mindset.
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So, How?
The development of this project:
The Biomaterial cookbook serves as a small library for other designers who would like to collect information about bio fabricating and apply this to their own projects. The waste stream from farmers can be utilized and turned into a new item by designing smartly and tactically. This item/garment can serve as an example of reusing waste food sources and creating a circular economy.
The idea is to highlight the importance of recycling the vegetable waste from farmers and greenhouses in Holland, as they are able to supply vegetable waste for potential material innovation. Seasonal because of the harvests.
One garment was created as a proof of concept. In order to raise awareness around the topic of Boertex.
Discovering Local Bio materials: Boertex recipe book.
Open source Material cookbook resulting from experimentation - created by Rebecca van Caem:
Boertex prototype no.1
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Project process
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Project process
Boertex final piece:
The aesthetics of the developed material had decided in which way the garment was going to take form in the end.
The question here is why are we collectively not looking for alternatives?
Some of the key factors highlighted during this project:
- Sustainable development
- Smarter design
- My role as a designer is to challenge the old ways by designing a modern product.
In collaboration with and special thanks to:
- Olaf Lindehoff (Lindehoff)
- Roy Merkelbach (Restaurant Merkelbach)
- Cristiano carciani (Ams. fashion Academy)
- Giedhre Kazokaite
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Boertex currently finds itself in its second phase of processing.