“Cooling Algae” explores the potential of brown seaweed as a biomaterial for fashion.
This material is capable of storing water, which allows it to cool the skin—an unusual and innovative property for a garment.
In the context of rising global temperatures, increasing heatwaves, and even for people living with conditions such as rheumatism, this concept offers unexpected future potential.
The project presents a new wearable cooling system.
Inspired by the idea of a cooling vest, a bright orange upper garment—dyed with Aperol—is created entirely from this biomaterial.
A syringe is used to form the pattern pieces, resulting in a distinctive construction process and aesthetic.
Our everyday experience with materials is largely shaped by industrial substances designed for efficient mass production. In contrast, this project explores a low-tech and low-energy approach. By relying only on common kitchen tools and accessible ingredients, the material can be easily recreated.
This method challenges our perception of how much time and effort material production requires and invites us to rethink local fashion production, as well as how we care for ourselves and the materials we use in the future.
