I have a huge interest in science and how it can influence textiles, particularly in biologically deriving existing materials.

I am currently experimenting with engineering living organisms to take on new properties in order to exist as new functional forms.

Very much inspired by bio-textiles team BIOCOUTURE, I have started to grow and harvest the skin (scoby) of a fermented Kambucha. This involves a natural biological reaction resulting in a sweet tea and leathered material.

I have now harvested 4 batches of the tea and leather, all with very different results due to a slight change in conditions, duration of fermentation and changes in consistency of ingredients. The material is sew-able and strong but unfortunately still very much water soluble.   

I am currently growing the 'skin' over porcelain scaffolds to create artificial bronchioles.