The fashion world is facing an unprecedented challenge after the impressive "Sympoiesis" collection, presented by Iris van Herpen during Paris Fashion Week on July 6.
The central focus of the exposition is a unique dress composed of 125 million living bioluminescent algae of the Pyrocystis lunula species. The designer demonstrates an exceptional approach, transforming a scientific experiment into an artistic statement.
The specially constructed mesh structure allows the algae to maintain their vitality under precisely controlled conditions, mimicking a marine ecosystem. When in motion, the material emits a fantastic blue glow, generated by microorganisms.
Behind this impressive project lies a long-standing collaboration with leading scientific institutions, including the University of Amsterdam and the Francis Crick Institute. Van Herpen defines her creation not merely as an aesthetic experiment, but as a deep metaphor for ecological interconnectedness.
Her philosophy transcends the traditional boundaries of fashion, presenting biotechnology as a means of artistic expression and a message of sustainability. Every detail of the dress emphasizes the idea of symbiosis between human creativity and natural processes.
The designer's innovative approach provokes a rethinking of the relationship between science, art, and ecology, demonstrating fashion's potential to be a platform for social and scientific messages.