Fashion and living plants have always had a close relationship, with designers often using plant-based materials in their garments and accessories. But one creative has taken this relationship to a whole new level by creating a range of living pants that can be worn on the catwalk.
Exploring the connection between nature and technology, the team behind the project have created a range of garments made using living plants. In this article, we meet the Lowe’s Creative, who launched this range at Paris Fashion Week. Read on to find out more about this innovative project.
Setting It Up Was Difficult
Incorporating live plants into clothing is no easy feat. The plants need to be adequately secured, so they don't fall out, while the clothing needs to be able to support the weight of the plants. What’s more, the plants need to be watered regularly, which can be challenging when they’re worn on a human body.
Designer Paula Ulargui Escalona came up with this in her final year of her degree, having studied fashion design and communication at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Madrid.
Growing plants and sending them to Paris for the fashion show put extra pressure on the designer and the plants themselves. Raised in a polytunnel 20 days ahead of the show, the plants had to be treated with extra care, using a unique solution that prevented them from wilting before and during the show.
Keeping the Plants Healthy
Checking whether the plants stayed alive and healthy was an extensive process. It required checking that the light was adequate, that the water was evenly distributed at all times. The plants also needed to have enough space to grow.
The colour of the leaves also indicated how the plants were faring, which was another variable that had to be monitored closely.
In addition, temperatures soared – reaching up to 40 degrees Celcius in Paris. This meant that the plants had to be kept in a cool room backstage, away from the heat of the lights.
The Future of Living Plants on Clothes
Loewe plant pieces won't be commercially available anytime soon. However, this exhibition shows the direction in which the industry is moving, and the future possibilities available to designers.
Ulargui Escalona said that the process was therapeutic for the person wearing the clothing. They connected with nature in a way that’s simply impossible when wearing traditional garments.
Incorporating live plants into clothing is a fascinating trend that we are likely to see more of in the future.
That said, it's important to remember that this trend is still new. So, there are some challenges that need to be overcome first. One of the biggest challenges includes watering the plants and keeping them alive for extended periods of time.
Nonetheless, it's an exciting development in green fashion, and we can't wait to see the new and innovative designs that will emerge in the future.
Photo by Anete Lusina
