Yuhan Bai is a fashion student at the Royal College of Art and she recently unveiled the Soil Project collection which is a range of designs that are made from a soil-based leather alternative. It also features some vintage apparel that is dyed with soil -- all showcased during Dutch Design Week.
Bai started to conjure up the idea of the collection with a soil-leather corset along with other soil-dyed items after research was conducted on the negative impacts of the fashion industry due to its reliance on cotton. Bai tells Dezeen, "The increased demand for cotton in recent years due to rapid fashion development has resulted in the overexploitation of land and environmental problems such as soil damage. Soil is rich in organic matter and is one of the world's most valuable and important sources of energy, it nurtures all crops and there is great value in soil to be explored."
Soil Alternative-Leather Clothing Capsules
Yuhan Bai Releases the Soil Project Collection
Trend Themes
1. Soil-based Leather Alternatives - Disruptive innovation opportunities could be found in creating eco-friendly leather alternatives by experimenting with organic materials such as soil.
2. Vintage Apparel - An increasing trend could be the use of vintage apparel, recycled and dyed with environmentally-friendly materials, as an alternative to conventional fashion.
3. Sustainable Fashion - Fashion designers could explore sustainable materials and production methods as a response to the negative impacts of the fashion industry.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - The fashion industry can explore eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to conventional materials, such as soil-based leather, as a way to reduce its negative environmental impact.
2. Agriculture Industry - The agriculture industry could potentially profit from the development of soil-based materials and their use in fashion and other industries.
3. Textile Industry - The textile industry could explore new sustainable materials and dyeing methods, such as soil dyeing, to meet the growing demand for environmentally-friendly products.