It’s no surprise that bikinis filled the Rio de Janeiro runway during
FashionRio 2013, the five-day Brazilian catwalk extravaganza that took place last week. But swimsuits aren’t the only items complemented by water that are capturing the imagination of designers these days. Indeed, new apparel and accessories collections that incorporate soil and seeds are sprouting up in the fashion scene.
Green Line Series: Stevie Famulari’s
Green Line Series consists of five plant-embedded garments that grow, flower and reseed themselves. Each gown and coat in her visionary collection contains over 5,000 living blossoms, including poppies, daisies and baby sprouts. Famulari, an assistant professor of landscape architecture at
North Dakota State University, originated the park-turned-dress concept by reinterpreting iconic gardens like
Central Park and
Versailles as formalwear. These may not be the most breathable garments, but each is lined with waterproof material to ensure that it is in fact wearable. Though an exhibition at
Fargo’s Plains Art Museum just concluded, with any luck these true originals will hit the party circuit this summer.
Wearable Planter: Operating under the belief that “the world would be a happier place if people appreciated nature a little more,” Atlanta-based designer Colleen Jordan’s
Wearable Planter brand allow wearers to keep gardens physically close to their hearts. The jewelry collection, which is produced using the
much-talked about 3D printing technology, consists entirely of plastic brooches and pendant necklaces that hold a small bit of dirt and one tiny sprig, succulent, air plant, or posy. In addition to her desire to promote the importance of greenery, Jordan developed the line to exhibit how inexpensive plastic can be used to make items of heirloom quality that will last for thousands of years just like precious metals.
Seed: Lithuanian designer
Egle Cekanaviciute’s
Seed collection of minimalist clothing is made of raw, organic fabrics, including potato sacks and tailor’s muslin, that have been deconstructed to double as wearable planters. Each of the line’s six garments has been distorted in strategic places, like the sleeves and pant pockets, to allow room for soil, seedlings and growing plants. Inspired by the common occurrence of grass shooting up through cracked pavement, Cekanaviciute created the collection as a visualization of our fundamental helplessness against the power of nature. While the clothes may be impractical for everyday situations, Seed is a line that will certainly grow on you (literally).
