Scientific Couture

Abstract

Imagine a fabric that grows... a garment that forms itself without a single stitch! The Micro‘be’ project aims to develop innovative research into the production of unique fermented garments grown with a novel method that uses cellulose creating bacteria. The Micro‘be’ team investigates the practical and cultural biosynthesis of microbiology to explore forms of futuristic dressmaking and textile technologies. A fermented garment will not only redefine the meaning of traditional interactions between body and clothing but will also examine the practicalities and cultural implications of commercialisation. Micro‘be’ fermented wear will be produced through bacterial wine fermentation. This activity’s by-product is the synthesis of large quantities of cellulose microfibrils synonymous to plant based cotton. This collaborative project allows the biological clothing to be worn on the body without issues of fragility or outside contamination.