(UN)WOVEN

Can colour make textile waste attractive? When recycling not only fibres but also colour itself – what new production methods emerge? From marble-like patterns to developing novel dyeing processes for mixed blend unrecyclable textile fibres - Studio Sarmīte investigates various waste streams from the textile industry as a resource for creating new material lifecycle concepts.

(Un)woven is a new bio-textile concept made of inferior textile fibres, created as an alternative to the flawed traditional textile recycling process. A unique production method turns inferior mixed blends into a lightweight biotextile suitable for fashion, interior and product design applications. Emphasizing recyclability over longevity, the sturdy material can be recycled at the end of its life and repurposed for new production cycles over and over again.

On a mission to change the way we think about colour, Studio Sarmīte explores various tonal concepts. For example, the marble line reveals new aesthetics and highlights the previous lives of each worn garment through colour and structural nuances. Waste does not have a single tone. Instead, it mesmerizes with depths and patterns that create a complexity visible once looked closer at. Furthermore, natural pigments are applied to remove the existing stigma of recycled textiles. Together with Roua Atelier, Studio Sarmīte developed a pioneering dyeing method for mixed blends. The dyeing is integrated directly into the making of the biotextile and is water efficient and does not generate any dye waste. Finally, the designer also explores recycled dyes, ( e.g denim) and the concept of a generational colour palette made from recycled (un)woven fibres.

(Un)woven is part of a larger project investigating various waste streams from the textile industry. Post-consumer garments, production waste, fibres, dust and even dye waste are seen as a resource for the creation of new material concepts. This project has been funded by the European Commission.

Created by Studio Sarmīte