Design that Looks at Models

from Nature & History

Design that Looks at Models History
This strategy is about how much textile designers can find inspiration
and information for future sustainable design from studying and
reflecting upon nature as well as textiles, habits and societies of the
past.

“….the accumulated past is life’s best resource for innovation

…reinventing beats inventing nearly every time.” Stewart Brand
Design that Looks at Models History
Examples:
• Make-do-and-mend
• D.I.Y/ punk customization
• Culture & Heritage
• Historic dyeing/ printing techniques
Make-do-and-mend

Manage with and repair the possessions one already has

rather than buying replacements.
Make-do-and-mend
Make Do and Mend was a pamphlet issued by the British Ministry
of Information in the midst of WWII. It was intended to provide
housewives with useful tips on how to be both frugal and stylish in
times of harsh rationing. With its thrifty design ideas and advice on
reusing old clothing, the pamphlet was an indispensable guide for
households. Readers were advised to create pretty ‘decorative
patches’ to cover holes in warn garments; unpick old jumpers to re-
knit chic alternatives; turn men’s clothes into women’s; as well as
darn, alter and protect against the ‘moth menace’. An updated
version of the book was recently released to coincide with the
economic recession, offering similar frugal advice for 21st century
families.
Make-do-and-mend
Make-do-and-mend
D.I.Y/ punk customization
Culture & Heritage
“ The concept off sustainability has away been central to
indigenous culture; North Americans believe that you consider
the impacts of your actions on the next 7 generations. In
Australia there is a worldview among many indigenous people
that you don’t inherent the land you hold it in trust for future
generations.”

Larissa Behrendt
Culture & Heritage
Traditional practices
Example:
• Kantha made form old sarees
• Handing down exquisite sarees for generation.
• Traditional Weaving practices
• Traditional dying practices
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Bio-mimicry

The design and production of materials, structures, and systems that

are modelled on biological entities and processes.
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Morphotex
Design that Looks at Models Nature
This dress’s iridescent hue is purely a trick of the light.
Fashioned from Morphotex, the frock uses structurally
colored to mimic the microscopic structure of the Morpho
butterfly’s wings, which appear a shimmery cobalt despite its
lack of pigment. Manufactured by Teijin in Japan, Morphotex
requires no dyes or pigments, nor the prodigious amount
of water and energy used in conventional dyeing.
Design that Looks at Models Nature
• A native of the South America rainforest, the Morpho is one
of the largest butterflies in the world, with wings that span
five to eight inches. The vivid color on the upper surface of
their wings is the result of microscopic, overlapping scales
that amplify certain wavelengths of light while canceling out
others.
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Morphotex
Design that Looks at Models Nature
• Similarly, Morphotex relies on fiber structure and physical
phenomena such as light reflection, interference, refraction,
and scattering to produce its opalescence. The fabric
comprises roughly 60 polyester and nylon fibers, arranged in
alternating layers that can be varied in thickness to produce
four basic colors: red, green, blue, and violet.
Design that Looks at Models Nature
OUTERWEAR THAT TRANSPIRES LIKE TREES
Páramo’s waterproof jackets feature fabric technology inspired by the
transpiration activity of trees. The process is akin to evaporation: pore-
like openings in plant foliage, collectively known as stomata, open and
close to release water vapor into the air. The water loss allows the plant
to access carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, as well as to cool itself
when the mercury rises.
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Velcro
Velcro was invented by George de Mestral in 1941 and was inspired by
the burrs he found on himself and on his dog. Being an engineer and
entrepreneur, Mr. de Mestral examined the burr under a microscope
and realized the small hooks of the burr and loops of the fur/fabric
allowed the burr to adhere exceedingly well. This sparked his idea to
mimic the structure as a potential fastener. The words velours (French
for loop) and crochet (French for hook) were combined to start the
Velcro company in 1959. Since then, Velcro has become integrated into
daily life and has revolutionized the fastener industry.
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Velcro
Design that Looks at Models Nature
Velcro