The fashion industry has spent the last few years focusing on making the most of natural strategies and patterns. One of the best ways to enable this is called biomimicry, which mimics the models, systems, and elements used to solve difficult human problems.
Biomimicry is essentially an emerging practice that is increasingly focused on emulating nature’s strategies and patterns that direct product design and processes, while drawing inspiration from the natural world.
Applying the concept of biomimicry to the world of fashion presents a wide range of options that can be used to achieve true sustainability. It is a way for designers to return to nature, learn more from it and create sustainable designs.
Now that you have some understanding of biomimicry in fashion materials, it’s time to learn more about it.
What is biomimicry in fashion?
Biomimicry isn’t just a new concept, it’s being pushed by those concerned about true sustainability in fashion. At a fundamental level, biomimicry involves naturally seeking out tips and tricks when designing products and solutions. One of the best examples of this is Velcro designed to mimic the way certain types of burrs stick to surfaces.
When generating natural solutions to replace synthetic and other environmentally harmful products, biomimicry can easily replace them. For example, mushroom leather is considered an alternative to animal-derived leather. Designers can avoid having to rely on unsustainable synthetic leather that emits microplastics and can even harm the environment.
As a method of sustainable fashion practice, biomimicry allows creators to learn more about developing from processes already established in nature. It can be used to repair and regenerate damaged ecosystems. In practice, biomimicry has proven to be a popular and profitable strategy for forward-thinking brands.
Why is biomimicry beneficial to the fashion industry?
Customers may love fast fashion, but they don’t just enjoy doing things for the environment. They want to be trendy, but not just at the expense of the planet. By educating the public on the benefits of biomimicry, brands can differentiate themselves and introduce their customers to the fascinating aspects of biomimicry in fashion.
When it comes to biomimicry benefits, functional solutions are provided. Simply put, textiles are more likely to meet customer expectations if they are designed around what works well in nature. As one of the greatest inspirations for innovators, nature has played an extraordinary role in inspiring inspiration.
The reason most customers can support biomimicry solutions is that it makes them feel good knowing they are doing something constructive. Most people feel they are contributing to the solution of the climate crisis, not the problem. Biomimicry also allows customers to invest in eco-friendly clothing and many restorative and fashionable textiles.
Biomimicry also reduces the time required to test new products. It’s based on products built on natural, proven systems, not built from scratch. In fact, biomimicry reduces the time to market for innovations, allowing customers to get what they need right away.
Some of the popular biomimetic innovations in fashion materials are listed below.
Fiber from Algae: One of the best examples of how biomimicry can be used to protect both the environment and the health of our customers is with fibers from algae. Zero-waste technology is used to create fabrics and colors from algae.
Water and sunlight are also required to make fabrics made from algae, resulting in significantly reduced energy use and pollution. Additionally, the algae fabric nourishes the skin as the customer wears it, removing all chemicals and allergens from the color.
Colors produced by bacteria: This is the method used to dye clothing while protecting the environment. Fermentation and the action of microorganisms produce colors that do not deteriorate over time.
This method is highly sustainable as it requires more than 500 times less water than traditional dyeing techniques.
Waterproof material: There are fibers that increase outdoor comfort and protection. Animal fur-like fabric.
This biomimetic fabric is popular for repelling water from the body and protecting against rain, fog and even sweat.
Biomimicry inspires fashion and textile designers:
Biomimicry has a huge impact on textile design. For example, some Bristol researchers have created fabrics that mimic the color changes of squid. It is a design that instantly changes the color of the material by camouflaging the material. The material will be used to manufacture uniforms and future apparel.
Besides this, the team of designers also created dresses made of wine. Live microorganisms multiply as a by-product during wine making, ferment and break down designs to make clothes.
Inspired by all the ideas, it can be summarized that textile biomimicry can be easily translated into the design of solutions developed to be sustainable and reduce environmental impact. A biological concept is created to create functional, durable and eco-friendly textile materials. When replicating a design, the process should be mimicked to reduce the environmental impact.
summary:
Nature is the source of unleashed creativity, and it will always exist in the future. When it comes to biomimetics and fashion, there is great potential for developing new and advanced materials.
Given our position here, it makes sense to envision a future where biomimicry can produce new fabrics and garments that protect the environment while making the wearer feel comfortable, without compromising on appearance. The world is now looking for more sustainable and greener solutions.
Studying a Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design at a university such as Chitkara University will give you new skills in the field of the fashion industry. This course gives you the opportunity to apply what you have learned from the interdisciplinary areas of Science and Design, Visual Arts, Sustainability, Innovation, Creativity and Engineering to deliver innovative fashion solutions of the future.
