Fibre Bark Outfits
For an eco-design award ceremony, we were commissioned by Goy Architects to design outfits that reflected the themes of sustainability and innovation. Using fibre bark paper developed by Indonesian craftsmen and traditionally used in interior design, we created these 2 pieces.
Fibre Bark Vest
Fibre bark paper is a material made by peeling, soaking and beating the inner bark from trees until it becomes pliable. What made this piece challenging was the manner in which fibre bark reacts to different temperatures. In hot and humid climate, it relaxes into a leathery soft texture. In dry and cold conditions, fibre bark stiffens to a cardboard-like texture. To resolve this and ensure that the garment could function under varying temperatures, I top-stitched multiple panels directly on top of each other, with particular care around curved areas like the shoulders and sides.
Sculptural Paper Lace Top
Banana pulp fibre is mixed with water to create a slurry that is then poured onto a mesh screen. After the mixture dries, a delicate lace-like pattern is formed and the paper is removed from the screen and hung to dry. Guided by the light natural drape of banana fibre paper, I sculpted this one-of-a-kind top, bound the edges with satin, and designed a snap button closure.